Date of Conferral

2021

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Public Health

Advisor

Shirley S. Gerrior

Abstract

AbstractMalnutrition affects sub-Saharan African countries with increased stunting among under-5 children. The short-and long-term effects of this stunting include the potential for slow growth in early life, impaired health, and educational and economic disadvantages in adolescent and adult years. The purpose of this quantitative cross-sectional study was to analyze the relationship between single-mother families and the occurrence of malnutrition (stunting) among under-5 children in the Kgatleng district of Botswana. Bronfenbrenner’s ecological model was applied to investigate factors that lead to stunting among these children. Primary data were collected from 196 mothers and their children who visited selected clinics in Kgatleng. Binary logistic regression was used to determine the most effective predictors of stunting in under-5 children and analyze contributing factors. Results showed a significant relationship between family structure (single-mother families, two-parent families) and stunting in the bivariate analysis. There was a statistically significant relationship between large family size (OR = 1.172; 95% CI = 0.012, 1.356; p < 0.034), mother’s age at the birth of her first child (OR = 0.202; 95% CI = 0.063, 0.648; p < 0.007), mother’s education level (OR = 0.199; 95% CI = 0.042, 0.943; p < 0.042), and stunting among under-5 children. The prevalence of stunting was estimated at 42.4% (n = 83). Findings also indicated increased odds of stunting among children aged 12-24 months. Overall, this study shows that single motherhood is not a unique determinant for stunting. Results promote social change by increasing awareness among health professionals to continually check linear growth of under-5 children to curb the deleterious effects and the social inequalities caused by stunting.

Download

Share

 
COinS