Village-Level Spatial and Multidimensional Analysis of Undernutrition among Tribal Children (7–59 Months) in Gujarat, India

Abstract

Background: Child undernutrition remains a major public health challenge in India, particularly among tribal populations. This study assessed spatial patterns and multidimensional determinants of undernutrition among children aged 7–59 months in Garbada Taluka of Dahod district, Gujarat. Methods: A cross-sectional household survey (n=645) was conducted in all 34 villages of Garbada Taluka of Dahod District. Anthropometric indicators were measured using WHO standards. A Village-Level Vulnerability Index (VLVI) was developed using sanitation, maternal education, household wealth, and remoteness. Spatial analyses included Global Moran’s I, Local Indicators of Spatial Association (LISA), Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR), and mapping of VLVI scores. Results: Moran’s, I indicated weak spatial autocorrelation (I = 0.113, p=0.084). LISA identified one hotspot and two cold spots. VLVI maps showed higher undernutrition prevalence in high-vulnerability villages. VLVI correlated positively with undernutrition                   (ρ=0.32, p=0.065). GWR highlighted maternal education, sanitation, and remoteness as significant local drivers. Conclusions: Undernutrition in tribal children exhibits localized clustering and multidimensional vulnerability. VLVI mapping provides evidence for geographically targeted interventions focusing on sanitation, maternal literacy, and village-level disparities.