Household Characteristics and Child Health Nexus.
Date
2021-02-21
Authors
Mabodo, Eltone
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Zimbabwe
Abstract
This study was carried out with the main aim of finding ways of improving the health of children
under the age of five in Zimbabwe. Under-five mortality and undernutrition were the two health
indicators used in this study. The study used cross-sectional data collected during the 2015
Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey, with permission granted by the ICF International.
Data analysis was carried out using Stata® 15. Two separate regression models were
estimated, one for the determinants of undernutrition and the other for the determinants of
child survival. For the determinants of undernutrition, an ordered logistic regression model
was estimated and for child survival, survival analysis was carried out using the Cox
Proportional Hazards Model.
On the causes of undernutrition, the study find factors such as short birth interval, being a
male child, maternal education below tertiary level, premature birth, urban residence and
being born to a mother following the apostolic sect religious doctrine contributing to poor
nutrition stock of the children. On the other hand, factors such as safe drinking water, single
births, improved toilet facility and clean cooking power all contributing to the child having
good nutrition stock. In addition, survival analysis has revealed factors such as maternal
alcohol consumption, healthcare services accessibility, improved toilet facility, maternal age,
premature birth, single birth and religious doctrine as the contributing factors increasing the
probability of the child dying before their fifth birthday.
Hence the study advocates that targeting these variables, that is, maternal characteristics
(alcohol consumption, age and education), household characteristics (urban residence,
cooking fuel and apostolic sect religious doctrine followers), child specific characteristics
(male child, premature births, single births and children with shorter birth interval) and water,
sanitation and health variables (improving toilet facilities, providing safe drinking water and
enhancing the accessibility of healthcare services) will improve the health of children under
the age of five in Zimbabwe.