Estimating the Influence of Maternal Height on Under-Five Mortality in Nigeria

Abstract

This study uses a nationally representative data sample to assess the effect of maternal height as an intergenerational influence on under-five mortality. Data from the 2003 and 2008 Nigerian Demographic Health Survey (NDHS) (n=41,005) selecting women aged 15 to 49yrs whose most recent births were within 5 years (n=23,568), were analyzed. The outcome measure was under-five mortality. Independent variables included maternal height categorized as ≥63inch, 61-62.9inch, 59.1-60.9inch, <59.1inch. Confounding factors were controlled for. A multivariable logistic regression was used to obtain odds ratio estimates along with their respective confidence interval. After adjusting for confounding factors, we found that each 1inch increase in maternal height, was associated with a decreased odds of mortality OR 0.98(95%CI 0.97-0.99). The OR of under-five mortality when comparing women ≥63inch versus women <59.1inch was 1.13(95%CI 0.98-1.31). The population attributable fraction of child death due to maternal short stature was 0.36. (Afr J Reprod Health 2014; 18[1]: 54-60).

Keywords: Under-Five Mortality, Maternal height, Intergenerational Influences.