Urban-Rural Differentials in Child Malnutrition: Trends and Socioeconomic Correlates in Sub-Saharan Africa

Downloads

• Full report

This paper examines levels and trends of urban-rural differentials in child malnutrition, and investigates whether residual differences exist between urban and rural areas, given comparable measures of socioeconomic status of households and communities. Using data from Demographic and Health Surveys of 15 sub-Saharan African countries, and multilevel modeling, the study shows that urban-rural differentials: (i) are considerable in all countries, (ii) have narrowed in most countries due primarily to an increase in urban malnutrition, and (iii) have widened in few countries as a result of sharp decline in urban malnutrition. However, when socioeconomic status is controlled, these urbanrural gaps disappear in almost all countries. These results suggest that policies and programs contributing to the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals should pay particular attention to the urban poor.

Anyone can leave a comment, but you need an account first.

If you already have an account, please sign in.

If you don't have an account, you can create an account now.