Child Health Inequities in Developing Countries: Urban vs. Rural
Author Information
Author(s): Fotso Jean-Christophe
Primary Institution: African Population & Health Research Center (APHRC)
Hypothesis
To document and compare the magnitude of inequities in child malnutrition across urban and rural areas.
Conclusion
Socioeconomic inequalities in child malnutrition are significantly larger in urban areas compared to rural areas in sub-Saharan Africa.
Supporting Evidence
- Urban malnutrition rates are higher than rural rates in many sub-Saharan African countries.
- Socioeconomic inequalities in child malnutrition are larger in urban areas than in rural areas.
- Within-urban differences in child malnutrition are larger than overall urban-rural differentials.
Takeaway
Kids in cities are often more malnourished than those in the countryside, especially if their families are poor. We need to help the urban poor more.
Methodology
The study used data from the Demographic and Health Surveys of 15 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, analyzing child malnutrition through multilevel logistic models.
Potential Biases
Potential biases due to the exclusion of slum areas in data collection programs.
Limitations
Variability in urban/rural classification across countries and unmeasured community factors may affect cross-country comparisons.
Participant Demographics
Children under three years of age from 15 sub-Saharan African countries.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.01
Statistical Significance
p<0.01
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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