Child Health and Nutrition in Afghanistan
Author Information
Author(s): Mashal Taufiq, Takano Takehito, Nakamura Keiko, Kizuki Masashi, Hemat Shafiqullah, Watanabe Masafumi, Seino Kaoruko
Primary Institution: Health Promotion Section, Division of Public Health, Graduate School of Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
Hypothesis
The study aims to assess the independent associations between the health and nutritional status of children under 5 years old and family behavioral factors related to women and war-related hardships in Afghanistan.
Conclusion
The study found that lack of maternal education, child marriage, lack of maternal autonomy, shortage of basic material needs, and internal displacement negatively impact child health in Afghanistan.
Supporting Evidence
- 32.5% of children suffered from diarrhoea and 41.0% from acute respiratory infections.
- 12.4% of children were emaciated and 39.9% experienced linear growth retardation.
- 79.1% of mothers lacked autonomy in seeking healthcare for their children.
- 71.7% of mothers had not attended school for more than a year.
- 18.3% of mothers reported child marriage before the age of 16.
Takeaway
In Afghanistan, many children are not healthy because their mothers can't get the help they need, often due to not being educated or having to marry young.
Methodology
The study used multistage sampling to select 1400 households in Kabul Province and conducted health examinations and interviews with mothers.
Potential Biases
Recall bias may affect the accuracy of reported child illnesses.
Limitations
The study's cross-sectional design limits the ability to establish direct causality.
Participant Demographics
The study included children under 5 years old from 1327 households in Kabul Province, with a mean child age of 2.80 years and a mean mother age of 21.7 years.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
1.23, 2.40
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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