Background:

Child stunting is a global health concern. It has consequences on child survival, growth, and development. The absolute level of stunting has been decreasing in Tanzania although the prevalence is still high (34%), varying across socioeconomic determinants with a larger burden among the disadvantaged group. Reduction of inequalities in stunting are very crucial as we aim to reduce stunting to 28% by 2021.

Objectives:

This study aimed to determine the trend, contributing factors and changes of inequalities in stunting among children aged 3 – 59 months from 2004 to 2016

Methodology:

Data were drawn from the Tanzania Demographic and Health Surveys. The dependent variable was stunting. The concentration index was used to quantify the magnitude of inequalities in stunting for each year. In order to get the contribution of each determinant on the inequality in stunting, the concentration index was decomposed by using the Wagstaff and Watanabe decomposition methods of the concentration index.

Results:

Inequalities in stunting insignificantly declined from -0.019 (p<0.001) in 2004 to -0.018 (p<0.001) in 2010 and then to -0.0096 (p<0.001). Disparities in the distribution of wealth index (mean contribution > 84.7%) and maternal years of schooling (mean contribution > 22.4%) increased the levels of inequalities in stunting in all survey years. Rural-urban differences reduced inequalities in stunting although its contribution changed over time.

Conclusion:

Inequalities in stunting declined, differentials in wealth index and maternal education had increased contribution on the levels of inequalities. To significantly reduce the larder burden of stunting among the disadvantaged groups, initiatives should be embarked on distribution of social services like water, health infrastructures and education.