WASH alone cannot prevent childhood linear growth faltering

Authors: MALETA, KENNETH - University Of Malawi; MANARY, MARK - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)

Submitted to: The Lancet Global Health
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/1/2019
Publication Date: 1/1/2019
Citation: Maleta, K.M., Manary, M.J. 2019. WASH alone cannot prevent childhood linear growth faltering. The Lancet Global Health. 7(1):e16-e17. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30420-0.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30420-0

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Childhood stunting results from a myriad of factors, is a widespread public health burden in low and middle-income countries, increases mortality, reduces cognition and economic productivity, hinders the development of entire societies and therefore has been the subject of huge investments such as the evidence-based clinical trial called SHINE. SHINE provided a comprehensive package of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions in rural Zimbabwe and found that the WASH interventions had no effect on stunting. The SHINE study, in combination with two other large studies, indicate that stunting cannot be prevented or augmented by WASH interventions and development agencies should reconsider their approach to stunting prevention.