Table 1

Survey-weighted characteristics of children in the sample

CharacteristicNoPopulation estimate
Dependent variables
HAZ, mean (SD)11 674−1.68 (1.14)
Stunted, % (95% CI)11 67439.1 (37.4 to 40.8)
Severely stunted, % (95% CI)11 67412.1 (11.0 to 13.4)
Independent variables
Maternal current contraceptive use, % (95% CI)12 440
 No use44.3 (42.8 to 45.9)
 Traditional method10.9 (10.1 to 11.7)
 Modern method, <15 months22.9 (21.7 to 24.2)
 Modern method, ≥15 months21.9 (20.8 to 23.1)
Maternal prior contraceptive use, % (95% CI)12 440
 No use49.8 (48.3 to 51.4)
 Traditional method11.4 (10.5 to 12.4)
 Modern method38.8 (37.3 to 40.3)
Birth interval, % (95% CI)12 440
 Less than 24 months12.8 (12.0 to 13.6)
 24 months or greater55.3 (54.2 to 56.5)
 No preceding interval31.9 (30.9 to 33.0)
Birth order, median (IQR)12 4402 (1 to 4)
Confounding variables
Child’s age in months, median (IQR)11 96229 (14 to 44)
Mother age in years, median (IQR)12 44027 (23 to 32)
Wealth index, median (IQR)12 440−49 854 (-107 310 to 33 359)
Male sex, % (95% CI)12 44051.9 (50.9 to 52.9)
Rural area of residence, % (95% CI)12 44064.2 (62.2 to 66.2)
Maternal education, % (95% CI)12 440
 None18.9 (17.5 to 20.3)
 Incomplete primary35.2 (33.7 to 36.7)
 Primary17.3 (16.3 to 18.3)
 Incomplete secondary17.7 (16.6 to 18.9)
 Complete secondary7.4 (6.6 to 8.2)
 Higher3.6 (3.2 to 4.2)
Partner education, % (95% CI)12 440
 No education12.5 (11.5 to 13.7)
 Incomplete primary31.0 (29.7 to 32.4)
 Primary19.6 (18.6 to 20.7)
 Incomplete secondary19.3 (18.1 to 20.6)
 Complete secondary8.4 (7.7 to 9.2)
 Higher4.4 (3.9 to 5.0)
 No partner or unknown4.7 (4.2 to 5.2)
Maternal literacy, % (95% CI)12 432
 Not literate21.4 (19.8 to 23.0)
 Semiliterate12.9 (11.9 to 13.9)
 Literate65.8 (63.9 to 67.6)
Maternal marital status, % (95% CI)12 440
 Never in union4.5 (4.0 to 5.0)
 Current partner87.5 (86.7 to 88.3)
 Former partner8.0 (7.4 to 8.7)
Region of country, % (95% CI)12 440
 Metropolitan Guatemala city15.4 (13.8 to 17.2)
 North11.3 (10.0 to 12.8)
 Northeast9.1 (8.0 to 10.4)
 Southeast8.9 (8.0 to 9.9)
 Central10.7 (9.7 to 11.9)
 Southwest23.6 (22.2 to 25.1)
 Northwest16.9 (15.3 to 18.6)
 Petén4.0 (3.3 to 4.9)
Indigenous ethnicity, % (95% CI)12 43651.9 (49.4 to 54.4)
Mayan language spoken in home, % (95% CI)12 44030.5 (27.9 to 33.2)
Diarrhoea last 2 weeks, % (95% CI)12 03819.2 (18.3 to 20.3)
  • ‘Population estimate’ refers to calculations that account for survey weighting and sampling design, thus making the values nationally representative in Guatemala. Of note, estimates differ slightly from the DHS report, which uses the Household Member Recode in its calculations.

  • DHS, Demographic and Health Survey; HAZ, height-for-age z-score.