Economic and Social Determinants of Micronutrient Consumption and Supplementation Among Children Under Five Years in Cameroon

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Malnutrition among children less than five years is an important public health challenge in resources limited countries. This study analyzes the economic and social determinants of micronutrient consumption and supplementation among Cameroonian’s children under five years. A cross-sectional study design was undertaken using a stratified nationwide, two-level sampling with a sample of 4,074 children under five years and their mothers. Data were analyzed using a logistic regression model with the level of statistical significance set at p<0.05. The slightly majority of children were male (50.8%). Children in age groups older than 23 months were less likely (OR<1; p<0.01) to be consuming and/or supplemented with micronutrients compared to children aged 6 to 23 months. Children of mothers of middle and high income quintiles were more likely to be consuming and/or supplemented with micronutrients compared to children of mothers of low and very low income quintiles, while those in the very high income quintiles were less likely (OR=0.994 p>0.05). Children of mothers with low (primary) and average (secondary) education were likely (OR=0.854 and 0.870 respectively), while children of mothers with high (tertiary) education were non-significantly more likely (OR=1.093; p>0.05) to be consuming and/or supplemented with micronutrients compared to children of non-educated mothers. Overall, these study’s findings showed that the gender of the child, the child's birth order, the children from married mothers, the education’s level of mothers, standard of living, the non-use of any contraceptive method by mothers with intention to use one, employment, religion, and the children from mothers in the low, middle and high income quintiles were significant determinants associated with the function of micronutriments’ consumption and/or supplementation in children under five in Cameroon. Policy makers should therefore strive to improve the socio-economic conditions of women while raising their awareness of the harmful effects of child malnutrition.