Effect of household socio-economic factors on child nutritional status In Ghana, Kenya and Zambia

Abstract

Background: The nutritional status of the child plays an important role in the growth and development of the child and affects the child’s economic outcomes in adulthood. However, despite efforts by most Sub-Sahara Africa (SSA) countries, child nutritional outcomes remain poor. The study examines the effect of household socio-economic factors on the child’s nutritional outcomes in Ghana, Kenya and Zambia.

Methods: The study employs the ordinary least squares technique in the estimation, adjusting for sample weights in the dataset. The nutritional status of the child was measured using the Weight-for-Age Z-score (WAZ) analysis. The study used data from the 2014 Demographic and Health Survey of the countries. The results show that the nutritional status of the child is positively associated with the nutritional status of the woman during pregnancy, type of breastfeeding adopted, educational level of the woman, and the wealth index of the household. Also, the nutritional status of the child is negatively affected when decisions in the household are made by someone else other than the mother, size at birth, age, and birth order of the child.

Conclusion: The study recommends that women should be involved in household decision making, particularly in relation to nursing a child. Adequate dietary requirements among mothers is vital to improve nutritional status of the child during pregnancy and after childbirth. Health education particularly on nutrition and benefits of exclusive breast feeding among pregnant women should be encouraged.