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| Title: | Determinants of children's nutritional status in Kenya: evidence from demographic and health surveys |
| Authors: | Kabubo-Mariara, Jane Ndenge, Godfrey K. Mwabu, Domisiano K. |
| Year: | 2009 |
| Periodical: | Journal of African Economies |
| Volume: | 18 |
| Issue: | 3 |
| Pages: | 363-387 |
| Language: | English |
| Geographic term: | Kenya |
| Subjects: | malnutrition child health social conditions households |
| External link: | https://jae.oxfordjournals.org/content/18/3/363.full.pdf |
| Abstract: | The authors use a pooled sample of the 1998 and 2003 Demographic and Health Survey data sets for Kenya to analyse the determinants of children's nutritional status. By employing descriptive and econometric analysis, augmented by policy simulations, they investigate the impact of child, parental, household and community characteristics on children's height and on the probability of stunting. In estimation, the authors control for sample design and possible heterogeneity arising from unobserved community characteristics correlated with children's nutritional status and its determinants. The key findings are that boys suffer more malnutrition than girls; children of multiple births are more likely to be malnourished than singletons; maternal education is a more important determinant of children's nutritional status than paternal education; household assets are also important determinants of children's nutritional status, as well as the use of public health services, and usage of modern contraceptives. Policy simulations affirm the potential role of parental, household and community characteristics in reducing long-term malnutrition in Kenya and suggest that the correct policy mix would make a substantial reduction in the current high levels of malnutrition. The findings suggest that, if Kenya is to achieve its strategic health objectives and the millennium development target of reducing the prevalence of malnutrition, strategies for poverty alleviation, promotion of post secondary education for women and provision of basic preventive health care are critical concerns that need to be addressed. Bibliogr., notes, ref., sum. [Journal abstract] |
