Decomposing acute malnutrition by educational inequality of mother’s among under five children in Jammu and Kashmir

Abstract

Health outcomes in the state of Jammu and Kashmir have shown improvement in recent decades. However, nutritional achievements, particularly among children under the age of five, have not seen similar progress. Various factors influence the nutritional status of this age group, with the socio-cultural and biological attributes of mothers being considered significant determinants. While some studies have examined these attributes, there is a scarcity of research exploring the causal link between socio-culturally determined factors, such as maternal education, and child nutritional achievements, especially in Indian states located in North India. This paper aims to address this gap by analysing the prevalence of acute malnutrition (stunting) among children under five in Jammu and Kashmir in relation to educational inequality among mothers. The latest round of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) is used to assess the levels of stunting (low height for age) among children, considering the literacy status of mothers and other control variables. Bivariate and multivariable methods are employed to study the association and identify risk factors. Additionally, the Oaxaca decomposition method is used to analyse the educational gap in factors associated with child stunting. The results indicate a higher prevalence of stunting among children of uneducated mothers (29%) compared to those of educated mothers (25%). The findings demonstrate a lower risk of stunting among children whose mothers are literate (OR 0.89). The Oaxaca decomposition analysis reveals a statistically significant difference in stunting between children based on their mother's education. These results highlight the wide disparities in acute malnutrition among children due to variations in maternal education. It is therefore crucial for policymakers to prioritize efforts to reduce educational disparities in order to alleviate the nutritional burden faced by children.

Decomposing rural-urban gap in unsafe disposal practice of child stool in India using nationwide sample survey data

“…In Indian settings, mothers are the primary caregivers of children, and therefore, a significant linkage between mother’s education and child health has been observed in many previous studies 33 . For instance, the risk of malnutrition and mortality among under-five children is more common among children with lower-educated mothers than their higher-educated counterparts 34 – 36 .The current study found that mother’s age is an another individual-level factor of child stool disposal practices among the study participants, particularly in rural settings. In addition, the unsafe disposal practice of child stool is prevalent among teenage mothers in rural areas.…”

Changing Patterns of Severe Acute Malnutrition and Associated Socio-Demographic Factors Among Under-Five Children in Maharashtra

“…As the education level of mothers increased, the chances of their children being at risk of having SAM decreased. The past literature has also highlighted the importance of a mother's education for the occurrence of SAM [32][33][34][35] . Mothers' education appears to be so impactful for children's nutrition as an educated mother is better equipped with knowledge and awareness regarding child care.…”

Kashmiri women in conflict: a feminist perspective

“…In order to raise the educational attainment of Kashmiri women, a number of issues, such as sociocultural norms, economic circumstances, and security concerns, must be addressed. Tariq et al (2023) identified the relationship between mothers' educational attainment and stunting in children under five in J&K and concluded that children whose mothers are literate had a reduced risk of stunting than children whose mothers are illiterate. It is still crucial to acknowledge the role of education in empowering women and promoting societal development.…”