Dear Nick:
You have posed a good question. Stratified sampling is frequently done using geographic strata in order to minimize the sample size necessary to make reasonably precise estimates of outcomes in each geographic subdivision; for example, in each province or region. However, another reason to do stratified sampling is to increase the precision obtained in your sample. If the sample is stratified on a variable which is associated with the outcome, taking into account the stratification during data analysis will result in better precision than would be obtained with a non-stratified sample of the same size.
My question is: Why are you stratifying your sample? If you are measuring the effectiveness of the two different interventions (cash and cash plus BCC) against the control. you are not attempting to estimate outcomes in each stratum. If you are stratifying to get better precision, then you need stratify only on factors you know will be associated with the outcome you are measuring. Stratifying on factors not associated with your outcome is a waste of time and resources.
But there are costs and problems with stratification. First, to account for stratification when comparing the outcome variable in each intervention group, you will need to do stratified or multi-variate analysis which greatly complicates data analysis. Second, you must have data on all stratification variables for each sampling unit. Any sampling unit without complete data on all stratification variables cannot be included in the sample because you will not be able to place it in a stratum. Third, if you stratify on too many variables, the number of sampling units in each stratum can become vary small. The stratum is defined as the set of values for all stratification variables. For example, if you stratify on wealth quintile (5 possible values), safe water supply (2 possible values), adequate sanitation (2 possible values), and 3 different levels of disease prevalence (3 possible values) you will have 60 strata (5 x 2 x 2 x 3). This will lead to very small numbers in each stratum which is not a good idea.
So, in short, if you wish to improve the precision of your study, I would select 1 or 2 variables which you think are most strongly related to stunting and stratify on them, if you have the necessary data.