Association between poor mental health in mothers and child stunting: a population-based cross-sectional study in Rwanda.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Child undernutrition is linked to substantial national economic and health losses in low- and middle-income countries, including Rwanda. Although the causal and contextual factors contributing to chronic malnutrition in children in Rwanda have been explored, the role of the mothers' mental health has not been fully investigated. This study aims to determine the prevalence of major depressive disorders, generalised anxiety and suicide risk among mothers in Rwanda and to explore their association with child stunting.

Design

This study used a cross-sectional, population-based design.

Setting and participants

Participants included children aged 1-36 months (n=601) and their mothers (n=601) in Rwanda's Northern Province. Mothers' mental health was assessed using

SUBMITTER: Utumatwishima JN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12519718 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature