Table 2 Risk factors for stunting (HAZ scores < −2SD) among children aged less than five years using MICS 2019 data from Bangladesh

Household member

≤3

ref

4--6

0.90

[0.81–1.00]**

≥7

0.98

[0.86–1.11]

Age (Months)

0 to < 6

ref

6 to < 12

1.23

[1.04–1.45]**

12 to < 24

2.16

[1.88–2.48]***

24 to < 36

2.65

[2.30–3.05]***

36 to < 48

2.33

[2.02–2.69]***

48 to < 60

1.67

[1.44–1.95]***

Gender

Male

ref

Female

0.94

[0.88–1.01]

Area

Urban

ref

Rural

0.90

[0.81–1.00]**

Division

Dhaka

ref

Barishal

0.87

[0.76–1.01]*

Chattogram

0.87

[0.77–0.97]**

Khulna

0.71

[0.62–0.81]***

Mymenshing

1.06

[0.91–1.25]

Rajshahi

0.89

[0.78–1.01]*

Rangpur

0.90

[0.79–1.02]

Sylhet

1.26

[1.09–1.46]***

Education of mother (schooling years)

None (0)

ref

Primary (1 to < 6)

0.87

[0.77–0.99]**

Secondary incomplete (6 to < 10)

0.74

[0.65–0.83]***

Secondary complete or higher (≥10)

0.66

[0.56–0.79]***

Education of father (schooling years)

None (0)

ref

Primary (1 to < 6)

0.95

[0.86–1.04]

Secondary incomplete (6 to < 10)

0.83

[0.75–0.93]***

Secondary complete or higher (≥10)

0.74

[0.63–0.87]***

Wealth index quintile

Poorest

ref

Second

0.83

[0.75–0.91]***

Middle

0.69

[0.62–0.77]***

Fourth

0.63

[0.55–0.72]***

Richest

0.49

[0.41–0.58]***

Toilet facility

Flush latrine

ref

Pitn and hanging latrine

0.99

[0.91–1.09]

Salt idolization test

0 PPM (not iodized)

ref

More than 0 PPM and less than 15 PPM

1.01

[0.91–1.12]

15 PPM or more

0.98

[0.90–1.07]

No salt in the household

1.52

[0.97–2.40]*

Number of under five children

1.25

[1.14–1.37]***