Abstract
Background Globally, stunting remains a significant public health challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. In Egypt, it affects approximately 33% of children under five and contributes to a 2–3% reduction in the country’s gross domestic product. Therefore, this study examined the trends in the prevalence of stunting and its associated factors among children under five and 0-59 months in Egypt. Methods This survey used combined data from the 2005, 2008, and 2014 Egypt Demographic and Health Surveys (EDHS), with a total sample of 39,857 children aged 0-59 months. A multilevel logistic regression that adjusts for sampling weights and clustering was performed to analyse the factors associated with stunting among children in Egypt. Results The prevalence of stunting was 24.8% in children aged 0-23 months, 24.3% in children aged 24-59 months, and 24.5 % in children aged 0-59 months. After controlling for potential confounders, the common factors associated with stunting in three age groups were mothers with primary education and mothers who did not have an antenatal care (ANC) visit during pregnancy. Maternal short stature (height < 155 cm) was associated with an increased risk of stunting in three age groups compared to mothers taller than 160 cm. Conclusion A coordinated approach across health, WASH, education, and social protection is essential to address stunting in Egypt. Interventions should target high-risk groups, particularly those with low socioeconomic status, focusing on healthcare access, parental education, and infant feeding practices. While short maternal height increases risk, interventions must also tackle broader factors like food security and sanitation. A nutrition monitoring framework integrated into health systems will enable data collection, evidence-based actions, and progress tracking. Effective implementation requires cost-effective, scalable solutions, community involvement, and resource prioritisation to ensure sustainability and equity.