Bayesian Semi-Parametric Regression Analysis of Childhood Malnutrition in Gamo Gofa Zone: The Social and Economic Impact of Child Undernutrition

Abstract

Major progress has been made over the last decades in reducing the prevalence of malnutrition amongst children less than 5 years of age in developing countries. Approximately 27% of children under the age of 5 in these countries are still malnourished. This work focuses on the childhood malnutrition in Gamo Gofa Zone, Ethiopia. This study examined the association between demographic and socioeconomic determinants and the malnutrition problem in children less than 5 years of age using Data obtained from both rural and urban sampled surveys conducted in sample Woredas from December 1 to January 5, 2013. The study on the Child undernutrition and underweight prevalence in Gamo Gofa has allowed us to quantify the negative impacts of child undernutrition in both social and economic terms. The results revealed that as many as 75% of all cases of child undernutrition and its related pathologies go untreated. It is also observed that about 35% of the health costs associated with undernutrition occur before the child turns 1 year-old. Generally, The results of the analysis show that place of residence, employment status of mother, employment status of partners, educational status of mothers, diarrhea, household economic level and source of drinking water were found to be the most important determinants of health/nutritional status of children. The study revealed that socio-economic, demographic and health and environmental variables have significant effects on the nutritional and health status of children in Ethiopia.