Explaining the Gap in Child malnutrition between Poor and Non–Poor in Sierra Leone: Evidence from Recent Data

The main aims of the study to quantify the contribution of factors that explain the poor/nonpoor gap in underweight, stunting among children aged less than five years in Sierra Leon. We used cross-sectional data from the SLDHS... [ view full abstract ]

The main aims of the study to quantify the contribution of factors that explain the poor/nonpoor gap in underweight, stunting among children aged less than five years in Sierra Leon. We used cross-sectional data from the SLDHS conducted during 2013. Descriptive statistics, Logistic regression and Non-linear (fairly) decomposition technique have been used to explain the contribution to the average gap in malnutrition between poor and non-poor children in Sierra Leone. Considerable proportions of children were found to be underweight (16.8%) and stunted (38%) in sierra Leon in 2013. The malnutrition gap between the poor and non-poor was stark in Sierra Leone. For these two indicators, the main contributing factors were the place of residence, mother education, media exposure and intuitional delivery. Based on the findings the study suggests that improving the public services such as basic healthcare and the education level of the mothers among poor can ameliorate the negative impact of poverty on childhood malnutrition.