A0271
Title: An analysis of the triple burden of stunting, anemia and low birth-weight in India using a copula geo-additive model
Authors: Dhiman Bhadra - Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (India) [presenting]
Abstract: India has some of the highest incidences of childhood stunting, anemia, and low birth weight in the world. These indicators can be correlated in a particular population, which, if not accounted for, may lead to inaccurate estimates of their spread and penetration. The endeavor is to assess the triple burden of stunting, anemia, and low birth weight in India using a trivariate copula geo-additive modeling framework that accounts for the implicit association between them. For the purpose of analysis, nationally representative data on 104,021 under-five children are used, obtained from the National Family Health Survey 5, carried out between 2019 and 2021. Prevalence of stunting, anemia, and low birth weight were 35.37\%, 67.54\%, and 16.08\%, respectively, with significant positive associations between them. Model-based estimates were indicative of considerable spatial heterogeneity in their individual and collective burdens across India. Various child, maternal, and household-specific attributes like child gender, cesarean delivery, prenatal checkup of mother, maternal short-stature, maternal underweight, and anemic status had significant associations with the incidence of their triple burden. The importance of joint modeling of various dimensions of childhood undernutrition and related ailments is reaffirmed towards effective policy formulation and targeted nutritional intervention.
