Purnima Menon|Marie T. Ruel|Saul S. Morris
Socio-economic Differentials in Child Stunting are Consistently Larger in Urban than in Rural Areas
Cornell University|International Food Policy Research Institute|International Food Policy Research Institute
urbanrural comparisons childhood undernutrition suggest urban populations better rural populations however comparisons could mask large differentials exist socioeconomic groups urban areas data demographic health surveys 11 countries three regions used test hypothesis intraurban differentials child stunting greater intrarural differentials prevalence stunting among urban rural poor equally high socioeconomic status ses index based household assets housing quality availability services created separately rural urban areas country using principal components analysis odds ratios computed estimate magnitude differentials stunting heightforage z scores lt 2 urban rural areas lowest highest ses quintiles within areas prevalence stunting lower urban rural areas countries ruralurban odds ratios relatively small lt 33 hypothesized gap low high ses markedly larger urban median 4 rural median 18 areas differentials statistically significant interaction area ses logistic regression three countries withinurban ors high 10 found peru dominican republic whereas withinrural ors smaller 35 except brazil countries stunting poorest urban quintile almost among poor rural dwellers thus malnutrition urban areas continues concern effective targeting nutrition programmes poorest segments urban population critical success costeffectiveness