Effect of maternal employment on child nutritional status in Bale Robe Town, Ethiopia: a comparative cross-sectional analysis

Abstract

Adequate nutrition is essential for early childhood to ensure healthy growth, proper organ formation, and function, a strong immune system, neurological and cognitive development. The main aim of the present study was to assess the effect of maternal employment on nutritional status among children aged 6–23 months in the town of Bale Robe, Ethiopia. A community-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted on about 597 (293 unemployed and 304 employed) having children aged 6–23-month-old children sampled were employed with a multistage sampling technique. A face-to-face interview was conducted using a structured pretested questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, binary and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used for the statistical analysis. The magnitude of stunting (39.9 %), underweight (39⋅9 %) and wasting (22⋅2 %) was greater in 6–23-month-old children born to employed mothers than their counterparts in unemployed ones [stunted (31⋅3 %), underweight (24⋅0 %) and wasted (11⋅8 %)]. Being a girl [AOR 0⋅31; 95 % CI (0⋅17, 0⋅54)] in employed mothers and [AOR 0⋅29; 95 % CI (0⋅16, 0⋅51)] in unemployed people significantly protected stunting. This study demonstrated that the nutritional status of 6–23-month-old children is better among unemployed mothers than among employed mothers. Therefore, concerted efforts may decrease child undernutrition in a study area.

Stunting Among Wealthy Indonesian Families: A Cross-Sectional Study of Children Under the Age of Two

“…The condition is in contrast with other studies. A study in Indonesia shows a higher possibility of a stunting child whose mother is working than those who are not, similar to research from an urban area in Ethiopia (Ketema et al, 2022). There is the possibility of the influence of extended family intervention in parenting, which, unfortunately, this information could not be obtained from both studies.…”

Factors influencing stunted growth in children: A study in Bandung regency focusing on a deworming program

“…This could be due to the inability of the working mother to provide appropriate care to her children, resulting in infections and malnutrition in situations with poor access to clean water, sanitation, handwashing facilities, and environmental conditions. Malnourished children undergo poor physical and cognitive development ( Ketema et al, 2022 ). A research study in Adama, Ethiopia reported favorable findings on stunting (33.8%) ( Menzies et al, 2014 ).…”

Association between mother’s work status and child stunting in Kenya: Does socio-economic status matter?

“…Majority of the studies examining the effect of maternal employment on child stunting have focused South Asia. Few studies focus on Africa such as Ketema et al (2022) who focused on Ethiopian and found that nutritional status was better among children of unemployed mothers than those of employed mothers. This study adds to limited studies on Africa.…”