Rural and Remote Health (Jan 2020)
Distribution of child health indicators according to internal migration and various social variables in Turkey
Abstract
Introduction: Birth weight, stunting and overweight/obesity of children are among the most important child health indicators that cause concerns all over the world. Based on international literature findings, birth weight, stunting and overweight/obesity of children may differ according to the various sociodemographic and socioeconomic factors. In addition, migration status of women and their children (within urban areas, within rural areas, urban to rural and rural to urban) may influence the birth outcomes and health status of children aged less than 5 years. The aim of this study is to determine the distribution of internal migration and the sociodemographic and socioeconomic factors on birth weight, stunting and overweight/obesity in children aged less than 5 years in Turkey. Another purpose of this study is to investigate the course of birth weight, stunting and overweight/obesity in children between 1993 and 2013 in Turkey. Methods: The source of data for this study was the nationally representative five Turkey Demographic and Health Surveys (1993, 1998, 2003, 2008, 2013 TNSA). Surveys were conducted by Hacettepe University Institute of Population Studies. Logistic regression analysis was used in order to determine the impact of migration status, sociodemographic and socioeconomic factors on birth weight, stunting and overweight/obesity of children. Results: Compared to children living in urban areas, inadequate birth weight was found to be higher in children living in rual areas and in children who had migrated from urban areas to rural areas. Stunting was found to be higher in rural areas and urban to rural areas compared to urban areas. Unlike birth weight and stunting in children, overweight/obesity was higher in children living in urban areas compared to children living in rural areas. Moreover, it was revealed that sociodemographic factors (maternal education, birth order, receiving prenatal care, age, gender) and socioeconomic factors (residential area and childhood residential area) affected the birth weight, stunting and overweight/obesity of children in this study. Conclusion: There is a need for policymakers to take steps to overcome the regional disparities that create disadvantages for children aged less than 5 years in disadvantaged areas.
Keywords
