Environmental Health and Child's Nutrition Outcomes: Evidence from Nigeria

Abstract

Environmental health has been projected by the United Nations as a key to reduce morbidity and mortality in developing countries (WHO, 2008; Fayehun, 2010). The developing world is faced with multi-faceted problems often within the auspices of environmental factors inhibiting child growth and development. Such environmental factors like unhygienic environment, inaccessibility to portable water and sanitation are loopholes for infections to thrive; ultimately causing malnutrition, morbidity and mortality among children. Statistics show that about 100 million Nigerians lack access to basic sanitation facilities; 63 million do not have access to improved source of drinking water (WHO, 2015) and 75% of households burn biomass for cooking (IEA, 2013). 7 million avoidable deaths is attributed to poor sanitation and contaminated drinking water annually (UNICEF, 2018) while Nigeria ranks high among countries experiencing acute malnutrition among children (UNICEF, 2018). Achieving sustainable development goals 3, 6 and 8 which target healthy lives and well being; sustainable water and sanitation and affordable and sustainable energy for all may be a mirage.This study quantified the association between environmental health and nutrition; a cross-sectional analysis was undertaken using the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey 2013 to analyze nutrition (weight for age and height for age) of about 31,482 children while environmental health is an index composed from household source of drinking water, type of toilet facility and choice of cooking fuel. Analysis was done using regressionResult from regression analysis shows that there is a positive and significant association between environmental health and child’s height for age (24% and significant at 1%) and child’s weight for age (23%). The study recommends the need for policy makers to address environmental health as important condition for child’s nutrition.