Decomposing the gap in child malnutrition between poor and non-poor in Sierra Leone

Abstract

The main aims of the study were to quantify the contribution of factors that explain the poor/nonpoor gap in underweight and stunting among children aged less than 5 years in Sierra Leone. We used cross-sectional data from the Sierra Leone DHS conducted during 2013. Descriptive statistics, logistic regression, and nonlinear (fairle) decomposition technique were used to explain the contribution to the average gap in malnutrition between poor and non-poor children in Sierra Leone. Considerable proportions of children were found to be underweight (16.8%) and stunted (38%) in Sierra Leone in 2013. The malnutrition gap between the poor and non-poor was stark in Sierra Leone. For these two indicators, the main contributing factors were place of residence, mother’s education, media exposure, and institutional delivery. Based on the findings, the study suggests that improving public services such as basic health care and the education level of the mothers among the poor can ameliorate the negative impact of poverty on childhood malnutrition.