The effect of malaria on stunting: an instrumental variables approach

François Freddy Ateba, Seydou Doumbia, Feiko Ter Kuile, Anja Terlouw, Genevieve Lefebvre, Simon Kariuki, Dylan S. Small

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background

Previous studies have found mixed evidence for an effect of malaria on stunting, but have suffered from concerns about confounding and/or power. Currently, an effect of malaria on stunting is not included in the Lives Saved Tool (LiST) model.

Methods

We used instrumental variables regression with the sickle cell trait and random assignment to bednets as instruments in the analysis of data on children aged 0–2 y from a bednet trial in western Kenya.

Results

We estimated that one additional clinical malaria episode per year increases the odds of a child being stunted by 6% (OR estimate: 1.06, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.11).

Conclusions

Our finding that malaria affects stunting suggests that an effect of malaria on stunting in young children should be considered in the LiST model.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1094-1098
Number of pages5
JournalTransactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Volume115
Issue number9
Early online date25 Jan 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 3 Sept 2021

Keywords

  • ITNs
  • IV
  • LiST model
  • Malaria

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