Does education offset the effect of maternal disadvantage on childhood anaemia in Tanzania? Evidence from a nationally representative cross-sectional study

Olaide O Ojoniyi,Emmanuel O Olamijuwon,Joshua O Akinyemi,Clifford O Odimegwu

doi:10.1186/s12887-019-1465-z

Abstract

BackgroundDespite being preventable, anaemia is a major public health problem that affects a sizable number of children under-five years globally and in Tanzania. This study examined the maternal factors associated with the risk of anaemia among under-five children in Tanzania. We also assessed whether higher maternal education could reduce the risks of anaemia among children of women with poor socio-economic status.MethodsData was drawn from the 2015–16 Tanzania demographic and health survey and malaria indicator survey for 7916 children under five years. Adjusted odds ratios were estimated by fitting a proportional odds model to examine the maternal risk factors of anaemia. Stratified analysis was done to examine how the relationship differed across maternal educational levels.ResultsThe findings revealed that maternal disadvantage evident in young motherhood [AOR:1.43, 95%CI:1.16–1.75], no formal education [AOR:1.53, 95%CI:1.25–1.89], unemployment [AOR:1.31, 95%CI:1.15–1.49], poorest household wealth [AOR:1.50, 95%CI:1.17–1.91], and non-access to health insurance [AOR:1.26, 95%CI: 1.03–1.53] were risk factors of anaemia among children in the sample. Sub-group analysis by maternal education showed that the risks were not evident when the mother has secondary or higher education. However, having an unmarried mother was associated with about four-times higher risk of anaemia if the mother is uneducated [AOR:4.04, 95%CI:1.98–8.24] compared with if the mother is currently in union.ConclusionFindings from this study show that a secondary or higher maternal education may help reduce the socio-economic risk factors of anaemia among children under-5 years in Tanzania.

Highlights

Despite being preventable, anaemia is a major public health problem that affects a sizable number of children under-five years globally and in Tanzania
We examined if maternal education might reduce the risk of anaemia in under-five children whose mothers are disadvantaged in other socio-economic indices
The role of maternal education in reducing Anaemia risks among children under five years In order to understand whether having an educated mother can offset the risk of anaemia associated with having a socio-economically disadvantaged mother, we present in Table 3, the results from our sub-group analysis by level of educational attainment

Summary

Introduction

Anaemia is a major public health problem that affects a sizable number of children under-five years globally and in Tanzania. This study examined the maternal factors associated with the risk of anaemia among under-five children in Tanzania. We assessed whether higher maternal education could reduce the risks of anaemia among children of women with poor socio-economic status. Among children under 5 years, is a public health problem of serious concern. In regions within Tanzania, the prevalence of anaemia among under-five children ranges between 44 and 76% [2]. Its implications for health, as well as social and economic development, are diverse Among children, it weakens their mental and physical development resulting in poor academic performance and employability in later years [3]

Results

Discussion

Conclusion