Is there a threshold level of maternal education sufficient to reduce child undernutrition? Evidence from Malawi, Tanzania and Zimbabwe

Abstract

BackgroundMaternal education is strongly associated with young child nutrition outcomes. However, the threshold of the level of maternal education that reduces the level of undernutrition in children is not well established. This paper investigates the level of threshold of maternal education that influences child nutrition outcomes using Demographic and Health Survey data from Malawi (2010), Tanzania (2009–10) and Zimbabwe (2005–06).MethodsThe total number of children (weighted sample) was 4,563 in Malawi; 4,821 children in Tanzania; and 3,473 children in Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Surveys. Using three measures of child nutritional status: stunting, wasting and underweight, we employ a survey logistic regression to analyse the influence of various levels of maternal education on child nutrition outcomes.ResultsIn Malawi, 45 % of the children were stunted, 42 % in Tanzania and 33 % in Zimbabwe. There were 12 % children underweight in Malawi and Zimbabwe and 16 % in Tanzania.The level of wasting was 6 % of children in Malawi, 5 % in Tanzania and 4 % in Zimbabwe. Stunting was significantly (p values < 0.0001) associated with mother’s educational level in all the three countries. Higher levels of maternal education reduced the odds of child stunting, underweight and wasting in the three countries. The maternal threshold for stunting is more than ten years of schooling. Wasting and underweight have lower threshold levels.ConclusionThese results imply that the free primary education in the three African countries may not be sufficient and policies to keep girls in school beyond primary school hold more promise of addressing child undernutrition.

Risk factors associated with wasting among children aged 6 to 24 months old in Gaza strip

“…Although this gradient effect disappeared when adjusting for other independent variables, it merely reflects the fact that maternal illiteracy could contribute not only to wasting but also to other different health related behaviors and problems (Yassin & Lubbad 2010). This result is consistent with the literature that higher levels of maternal education reduced the odds of child wasting (Sengupta et al 2010;Makoka & Masibo 2015). At relatively high levels of maternal education, mothers tend to have acquired the necessary health knowledge and are more able to practice recommended feeding practices for their children (Eunice & Sarah 2013).…”

“…At relatively high levels of maternal education, mothers tend to have acquired the necessary health knowledge and are more able to practice recommended feeding practices for their children (Eunice & Sarah 2013). In addition, relatively educated women tend to have relatively fewer children and are able to provide better care and support to their children (Makoka & Masibo 2015), all of which positively impact on children's nutritional outcomes. Socioeconomic status showed that wasting was significantly higher among children of less family income as well as among children who not received nutritional help or donation.…”

Household food insecurity and its association with nutritional status of under five children in Sekela District, Western Ethiopia: a comparative cross-sectional study

“…Maternal education can improve child nutrition by increasing income and control of resources in the house. Educated mothers are likely to have better knowledge on child feeding and care and increase access to health and sanitary environment [29,30]. Our result showed that maternal education had negative relationship with stunting.…”

Undernutrition and Its Correlates among Children of 3–9 Years of Age Residing in Slum Areas of Bhubaneswar, India

“…They are more aware about proper nutrition, maintenance of hygiene, and various health issues as compared to uneducated or less educated women. Earlier studies have also documented the positive impact of mother's education on wasting [31–33]. …”