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Childhood morbidity and its determinants: evidence from 31 countries in sub-Saharan Africa
Sulaimon T Adedokun1, Sanni Yaya2,3
1Department of Demography and Social Statistics, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun, Nigeria.
Insights
Childhood morbidity in sub-Saharan Africa is a significant health issue, with socioeconomic, maternal, and environmental factors playing key roles. Addressing these determinants is crucial for reducing child mortality and improving health outcomes in the region.
Area of Science:
- Global Health
- Pediatrics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Under-five mortality has decreased globally but increased in sub-Saharan Africa, with morbidity being a major contributor.
- Childhood morbidity presents a substantial challenge in sub-Saharan Africa, necessitating an examination of its associated factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the factors associated with childhood morbidity in sub-Saharan Africa.
- To identify socioeconomic, maternal, child, and environmental determinants of childhood illness.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Demographic and Health Surveys data from 31 sub-Saharan African countries.
- Analyzed data from 189,069 children experiencing fever, cough, or diarrhea in the preceding two weeks.
- Employed descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression for data analysis.
Main Results:
- Prevalence of fever was 22%, cough 23%, and diarrhea 16% among surveyed children.
- Children from poorest households had higher odds of fever; younger maternal age increased diarrhea risk.
- Morbidity risk was elevated for children aged 12-23 months, of higher birth order, low birth weight, and from households with inadequate sanitation.
Conclusions:
- Childhood morbidity in sub-Saharan Africa is significantly influenced by socioeconomic, maternal, child, and environmental factors.
- Comprehensive interventions addressing these multifaceted determinants are essential for mitigating childhood morbidity and mortality.
Background:
Although under-five mortality reduced globally from 93 per 1000 live births in 1990 to 39 in 2018, sub-Saharan Africa witnessed an increase from 31% in 1990 to 54% in 2018. Morbidity has been reported to contribute largely to these deaths. This study examined the factors that are associated with childhood morbidity in sub-Saharan Africa.
Methods:
Demographic and Health Surveys of 31 countries in sub-Saharan Africa were used in this study. The study involved 189 069 children who had or did not have fever, cough or diarrhoea in the 2 weeks preceding the surveys. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression were applied in the analysis.
Results:
About 22% of the children suffered from fever, 23% suffered from cough and 16% suffered from diarrhoea. While the odds of experiencing fever increased by 37% and 18%, respectively, for children from poorest and poorer households, children of women aged 15-24 and 25-34 years are 47% and 23%, respectively, more likely to experience diarrhoea. The probability of suffering from morbidity increased for children who are 12-23 months, of higher order birth, small in size at birth and from households with non-improved toilet facility.
Conclusions:
This study has shown that childhood morbidity remains a major health challenge in sub-Saharan Africa with socioeconomic, maternal, child's and environmental factors playing significant roles. Efforts at addressing this problem should consider these factors.
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