Determinants of Undernutrition in Under-five Children: Evidence from the 2015 Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey

Abstract

Health is essential to a successful and productive life at all stages. Early good childhealth is also believed to shape the future productivity levels of every individual. Usingheight-for-age z scores, this study used an ordered logistic regression model to estimatethe determinants of undernutrition in children under the age of five in Zimbabwe. Datafrom the Zimbabwe Demographic and Health survey of 2015 was used. The study findsthat factors such as safe drinking water, improved toilet facility, tertiary-level maternaleducation, longer birth interval, and clean cooking power: all contributing to a childhaving good nutrition stock. More so, the study finds factors such as being a male childand urban residence contributing to poor nutrition of children under the age of five.Hence, the study advocates that improving water and toilet facilities, improvingmaternal education, using birth control measures and using clean energy will go a longway in improving the nutrition of children under the age five in Zimbabwe.