Seasonality of weather and climate can affect many of the complex pathways of nutrition. Methods:
Using Rwanda demographic and health survey (RDHS) and precipitation measurements collected in 2009-2010; we
assessed the association between rainfall and childhood malnutrition: stunting, underweight and wasting. Childhood
under-nutritional status was assessed by Z-scores for weight-for-age (WAZ), weight-for-height (WHZ) and height-forage
(HAZ), as primary outcomes for this analysis.
A total of 4176 children under five years were included in the analysis. The prevalence of underweight was 11.4%,
stunting was 44% and wasting was 3%. After adjusting potential confounders (mother’s BMI, mother’s education,
residence and wealth indices), children residing in the area with high rainfall were more likely to be stunted
(OR=1.58; 95%CI=1.28,1.96; p<0.001) while children in the area with moderate and high quantity of rain were less
likely to be wasted (OR=0.50; 95%CI=0.31,0.82; p=0.006 and OR=0.34; 95%CI=0.20,0.58; p<0.001 respectively).
Rainfall patterns may affect the nutritional status (under-nutrition) of children under five years of age. Estimating
the effect of rainfall on malnutrition may help to better predict regions of vulnerability to under-nutrition. We suggest
further study for more information about the mechanism of this association.