International Journal for Equity in Health (Oct 2004)

Mothers' education but not fathers' education, household assets or land ownership is the best predictor of child health inequalities in rural Uganda

  • Tumwine James K,
  • Åstrøm Anne,
  • Tylleskär Thorkild,
  • Wamani Henry,
  • Peterson Stefan

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-9276-3-9
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 3, no. 1
p. 9

Abstract

Read online

Abstract Background Health and nutrition inequality is a result of a complex web of factors that include socio-economic inequalities. Various socio-economic indicators exist however some do not accurately predict inequalities in children. Others are not intervention feasible. Objective To examine the association of four socio-economic indicators namely: mothers' education, fathers' education, household asset index, and land ownership with growth stunting, which is used as a proxy for health and nutrition inequalities among infants and young children. Methods This was a cross-sectional survey conducted in the rural district of Hoima, Uganda. Two-stage cluster sampling design was used to obtain 720 child/mother pairs. Information on indicators of household socio-economic status and child anthropometry was gathered by administering a structured questionnaire to mothers in their home settings. Regression modelling was used to determine the association of socio-economic indicators with stunting. Results One hundred seventy two (25%) of the studied children were stunted, of which 105 (61%) were boys (p Conclusions Of four socio-economic indicators, mothers' education is the best predictor for health and nutrition inequalities among infants and young children in rural Uganda. This suggests a need for appropriate formal education of the girl child aimed at promoting child health and nutrition. The finding that boys are adversely affected by poverty more than their female counterparts corroborates evidence from previous studies.

Keywords