A Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of
Master of Science in Public Health Research of the Nelson Mandela African Institution of
Science and Technology
In Tanzania, adolescent pregnancies increased from 23% to 27% between 2012 and 2015. The rises
have been linked to poor birth outcomes, pregnancy complications, childhood malnutrition, and
maternal and child deaths. Using data from the 2015 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey,
this study investigated the factors associated with low birth weight (LBW) and under-five stunting
among adolescent and non-adolescent mothers. Data from 13 266 women collected as part of the
Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey in 2015/2016 were re-analyzed using STATA version
14 software while taking survey design into account. The outcome variables were low birth weight
and stunting. Logistic regression models were used to identify factors that contributed to LBW and
stunting in children born to adolescent and non-adolescent mothers. After controlling for potential
confounders, this study discovered that non-adolescent mothers had a lower risk of having LBW
babies than adolescent mothers (AOR = 0.34; 95 per cent CI: 0.22-0.50). Maternal malnutrition
(AOR = 2.29; 95 percent CI: 1.43–3.67), divorce, separation, or widowhood (AOR = 1.76; 95
percent CI: 1.24–2.50), and fewer than four antenatal care (ANC) visits (AOR = 0.64; 95 percent
CI: 0.49–0.83) were all associated with LBW. Stunting in children was not related to maternal age.
Maternal high socioeconomic status (AOR = 0.69; 95% CI: 0.57-0.84) and maternal obesity or
overweight (AOR = 0.77; 95% CI: 0.64-0.92) were associated with stunting. Stunting was found
to be significantly associated with birth weight, gender, and age. Maternal age predicted LBW but
not stunting. To reduce poor birth outcomes, a multi-sectoral approach is required to address
childhood stunting and teenage pregnancies.