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Background: Despite the multiple initiatives implemented to reduce stunting in Ecuador, it continues to be a public health problem with a significant prevalence. One of the most affected groups is the rural indigenous population. This study aimed to analyze the prevalence of chronic malnutrition in indigenous children under 5 years of age and its association with health determinants, focusing on one of the territories with the highest prevalence of stunting., Methods: A cross-sectional study in 1,204 Kichwa indigenous children under the age of five, residing in rural areas of the counties with the highest presence of indigenous in the province of Chimborazo-Ecuador. A questionnaire on health determinants was applied and anthropometric measurements were taken on the child and the mother. Stunting was determined by the height-for-age z-score of less than 2 standard deviations, according to the World Health Organization´s parameters. Data were analyzed using bivariate and multivariate Poisson regression., Results: 51.6% (n = 646) of the children are stunted. Height-for-age z-scores were significantly better for girls, children under 12 months, families without overcrowding, and families with higher family income. The variables that were significantly and independently associated with stunting were: overcrowding (PR 1.20, 95% CI 1-1.44), the mother required that the father give her money to buy medicine (PR 1.33, 95% CI 1.04-1.71), the father did not give her money to support herself in the last 12 months (1.58, 95% CI 1.15-2.17), mother's height less than 150 cm (PR 1.42, 95% CI 1.19-1.69) and the child was very small at birth (PR 1.75, 95% CI 1.22-2.5)., Conclusion: One out of every two rural indigenous children included in this study is stunted. The high prevalence of stunting in the indigenous and rural population is multicausal, and requires an intersectoral and multidisciplinary approach. This study identified three fundamental elements on which public policy could focus: (a) reduce overcrowding conditions, improving economic income in the rural sector (for example, through the strengthening of agriculture), (b) provide prenatal care and comprehensive postnatal care, and (c) promote strategies aimed at strengthening the empowerment of women., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Introduction: Social capital is considered an important determinant of health and overall wellbeing; however, to the best of the authors' knowledge, literature relating social capital to malnutrition in developing countries is still relatively small. This article examines the relationships between social capital and chronic malnutrition and anemia in a population of rural coastal children in Ecuador., Methods: A cross-sectional study in two groups of 246 and 282 children under 5 years and their families was performed. Anemia and chronic malnutrition were analyzed as outcome variables. Variables about social capital were identified on the basis of the Social Capital Assessment Tool of the World Bank. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted., Results: The prevalences of anemia and chronic malnutrition in the children were 15.0% and 12.8%, respectively. At the multivariate analysis, the variable 'mother has borrowed money' had an inverse association with chronic malnutrition (prevalence ratio (PR) 0.43, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.20-0.90). Receiving and providing help after the earthquake of 2016 was significantly associated with a lower prevalence of chronic malnutrition (PR 0.52, 95%CI 0.28-0.97), but not with anemia. However, a mother being part of a community organization was associated with a 1.90 times higher prevalence of anemia (95%CI 1.04-3.48) in children than mothers who were not part of a community organization., Conclusion: The relationship between maternal social capital and the nutritional status of their children in rural communities seems to be positively related. However, a mother's participation in community organizations increases the prevalence of anemia in the children. These mixed results highlight the need for further studies focused on the different types of social capital and how they impact on health in deprived areas.

Objectives: Chronic malnutrition and anemia are prevalent in developing countries. This research aimed to determine the prevalence of chronic malnutrition and anemia and their associated factors in children under five using a multi-causal model in a rural community in the coast of Ecuador., Methods: The study included 314 children under 5 years old who were residents of San Isidro, Ecuador. Indicators of chronic malnutrition and anemia were identified. Mothers/caregivers were surveyed on socio-economic and environmental conditions, feeding and care practices, access to health services and biological characteristics. Bivariate and multivariable Poisson regression were performed., Results: The prevalence was 12.42% (n = 39) for chronic malnutrition and 16.98% (n = 54) for anemia. There was a significant and independent association between chronic malnutrition and family income less than $80 USD per month (Prevalence Ratio [PR] = 2.74, 95% CI 1.04, 7.20), maternal height less than 150 cm (PR 3.00, 95% CI 1.69, 5.32) and residence in a household with more than 4 children (PR 3.05, 95% CI 1.48, 6.29). Anemia was 2.57 times higher (95% CI 1.17, 5.65) in children with more than two episodes of diarrhea in the last 6 months. Prenatal care (5 to 8 visits) provided a protective effect for anemia (PR 0.48, 95% CI 0.27, 0.89)., Conclusions for Practice: Findings support the need for comprehensive interventions targeted toward chronic malnutrition and anemia in children from rural coastal communities. Improvement of socioeconomic conditions, family planning, prenatal care and reduction of diarrheal diseases should be prioritized.