A Decomposition Analysis of Inequality in Child Malnutrition in Tanzania

Magashi Joseph Ntegwa, Cresencia A. Masawe

2022

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DOI 10.1163/1821889x-bja10006
Data confidence 85 high
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Abstract

Abstract The paper analysed inequality in childhood malnutrition in Tanzania using data from the 2009/10 and 2015/16 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey ( TDHS ). The paper also addressed the trends of childhood malnutrition and the socio- economic factors associated with inequality in childhood malnutrition in the country for the period between 2009/10 and 2015/16. Erreygers Concentration Index and its decomposition were used in the analysis of data. The findings revealed that childhood malnutrition is concentrated among children from poor households. They showed that the degree of inequality in stunting, underweight and wasting did not change significantly during the period between 2009/10 and 2015/16. The results from decomposition analysis revealed that household wealth status, mother’s education, and place of residence are the major factors contributing to inequality in childhood malnutrition in Tanzania. According to the findings, a policy that is geared towards empowering women by expanding their access to education, and that addresses household resource constraints is important in bridging the gap. Additionally, provision of social services in rural areas needs to be emphasized so as to improve access to health facilities, which would greatly help reducing childhood malnutrition there.