Explaining the Decline in Child Stunting in Malawi between 2010 and 2015
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Date
2021-07-15
Authors
Kumchules, Grace
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
African Economic Research Consortium
Abstract
In 1992, the prevalence of stunting among under five children was 49%. In 2000, 2004
and 2010, the prevalence of stunting remained persistently high at at 48%, 48% and
47%, respectively. However, this dropped dramatically to 37% in 2016, and led to
considerable interest in understanding the drivers behind this improvement. Using
the UNICEF conceptual framework, data from the 2010 and 2016 Malawi DHSs and
Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition technique, this study could explain only 5% of the
10.5% decline in child stunting. This is attributable to improvements in standards
of living in 2016, when the level of wealth status in households was observed to
have improved. Focusing efforts on wealth creation can potentially reduce child
malnutrition in Malawi.