Abstract
BackgroundSuboptimal child growth and development are significant problems in low‐ and middle‐income countries. Maternal resources for care may help to improve growth and development. This study examined the association of maternal resources for care on child length, motor development and language development of children 12–23.9 months old.MethodsWe used baseline data from the Alive & Thrive household surveys collected in Bangladesh (n = 803) and Vietnam (n = 635). Resources for care were represented by maternal education, knowledge, height, well‐nourishment, mental well‐being, decision‐making, employment, support in chores and perceived support. The regression analyses were adjusted for household wealth and other covariates on households, children and parents and accounted for geographical clustering.ResultsMaternal height (Bangladesh β = 0.150 p < 0.001, Vietnam β = 0.156 p < 0.001), well‐nourishment (Vietnam β = 0.882 p = 0.007) and mental well‐being (Bangladesh β = 0.0649 p = 0.008, Vietnam β = 0.0742 p = 0.039) were associated with child length. Well‐nourishment (Vietnam β = 0.670 p = 0.042) and support in chores (Bangladesh β = 0.0983 p = 0.021) were associated with child motor development. Mental well‐being (Vietnam β = 0.0735 p = 0.013), decision‐making autonomy (Bangladesh β = 0.0886 p = 0.029) and perceived support (Vietnam β = 0.445 p = 0.003) were associated with child language development.ConclusionMaternal height, well‐nourishment, mental well‐being, decision‐making, support in chores and perceived social support were associated with child outcomes. Interventions that help to improve resources among mothers have potential to foster child growth and development.
Highlights
Poor child growth and suboptimal early child development remain critical problems in low- and middle-income countries (Black et al, 2013; Black et al, 2017; McCoy et al, 2016)
This study aimed to examine the association of maternal resources for care with child length, motor development and language development of 12– 23.9 months old children in Bangladesh and Vietnam
Maternal height, well-nourishment and mental well-being were associated with child length
Summary
Poor child growth and suboptimal early child development remain critical problems in low- and middle-income countries (Black et al, 2013; Black et al, 2017; McCoy et al, 2016). The extended care model of the United Nations Children's Fund emphasizes that care behaviours and child growth and development are influenced by caregiver's resources such as education and knowledge, physical health, mental well-being, autonomy, reasonable workload/availability of time and social support. Resources for care improve capabilities and help in meeting children's needs and promoting growth and development (Engle et al, 1997, 1999; Peter & Kumar, 2014). Workload and social support are conditions in family and community that facilitate provision of care (Engle et al, 1997, 1999) These capabilities of and related opportunities for mothers allow them to provide a nurturing environment for their children and can subsequently affect their growth and development (Ickes et al, 2017). Interventions that aim to improve maternal care resources have potential to positively influence child growth and development
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