An investigation of the determinants of childhood stunting in Zambia
Date
2023-02
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
Abstract
Background
Stunting in Zambia is a prevalent public health concern that can be attributed to multiple factors. Understanding the risk factors for stunting in children under the age of five is critical for developing nutritional intervention programs and strategies. As a result, this study aimed to analyze the marginal effects of the underlying determinants of child nutrition on Child stunting levels in Zambia.
Method
This study employed secondary data sources from Zambian demography and health surveys from six surveys. Relevant data were extracted from Kids Record (KR) and the corresponding Household Record (PR) file for the final analysis; survey rounds between 1992 up to 2018 were included in the study. Binary logistic regression model was used to describe the determinants and their association with childhood stunting. Further Marginal analysis was used to establish the marginal effects associated with the determinants
Result
Children living in low social economic conditions, children who reside in urban areas, have healthcare access challenges, born in non-medical facility, and whose mothers had lower than secondary education were more likely to be stunted. Further, narrow birth intervals, and low birth weight were associated with an increased occurrence of stunting
Conclusion
Stunting is the outcome of an intricate interaction of determinants. Wealth index, maternal education, maternal nutrition, birth weight, place of birth, birth interval and source of drinking water were found to have the highest marginal effects on childhood stunting. Therefore, policy makers should consider these determinants in the design of nutrition intervention programs.
Description
Thesis presented in partial fulfillment for the degree of Master of Management (Development and Economics) to the Faculty of Commerce, Law, and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023
Keywords
Stunting, Determinants, Zambia, Child, UCTD
Citation
Munalula, Kekelwa. (2023). An investigation of the determinants of childhood stunting in Zambia [Master’s dissertation, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg]. WireDSpace. https://hdl.handle.net/10539/38962