Prevalence of Stunting in Primary School Age Children in Baghdad, Iraq 2024

Abstract

Stunting represents a crucial measure of long-term nutritional deficiencies which continues to challenge public health systems especially in developing metropolitan areas. The research focused on establishing both the magnitude of stunting along with its socioeconomic variables which affect primary school children in Baghdad's Washash neighborhood. The research employed a cross-sectional survey method in 2024 to examine 357 children between the ages of 6 and 12 from eight public primary schools. The study collected height and weight measurements together with comprehensive information about personal demographics and family socioeconomic status. The study revealed that 17.4% of the children were stunted. The study demonstrated that specific factors including child gender together with guardian employment status and family monthly earnings and socioeconomic standing showed statistical significance in relation to stunting. The analysis showed no meaningful relationships between stunting and the child's age or guardian education level or number of people living in the household. The data demonstrates how financial hardship and unemployment lead to stunted growth in children thus creating a requirement for specialized nutritional and social programs in neglected urban areas. The research establishes basic guidelines to develop future public health strategies which will reduce child malnutrition while ensuring equal health benefits for Iraqi children.