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The Relationship between Childcare-Giving Arrangements and Children’s Malnutrition Status in South Africa

Author

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  • Matshidiso Sello

    (Demography and Population Studies Programme, Schools of Public Health and Social Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa
    Centre for Social Development in Africa, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2092, South Africa)

  • Sunday A. Adedini

    (Demography and Population Studies Programme, Schools of Public Health and Social Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa
    Department of Demography and Social Statistics, Faculty of Social Sciences, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Oye-Ekiti 371104, Nigeria)

  • Clifford Odimegwu

    (Demography and Population Studies Programme, Schools of Public Health and Social Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa)

  • Rebaone Petlele

    (Demography and Population Studies Programme, Schools of Public Health and Social Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa)

  • Talent Tapera

    (Demography and Population Studies Programme, Schools of Public Health and Social Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa)

Abstract

Multiple caregiving arrangements have become common for childcare globally, and South Africa is no exception. Previous childcare studies mainly focused on the caregiver and household characteristics. Evidence on the influence of childcare on malnutrition is sparse. This study aimed to examine the relationship between exposure to secondary and multiple forms of care and child malnutrition, with a particular focus on child stunting and overweight among children. A cross-sectional study of a sample of 2966 dyads of mothers and children under five were analysed from the 2017 National Income Dynamics Study (NIDS) Wave 5. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. The results indicated that 22.16% of the children were stunted and that 16.40% were overweight. Most children were mainly cared for at home (67.16%) during the day. Some results of the obtained multivariable analyses show that lack of being cared for in a crèche or school during the day was significantly associated with stunting (odds ratio (OR) 2; confidence interval (CI) 1.10–3.62, p < 0.05) and overweight (OR) 3.82; (CI) 1.60–9.08, p < 0.05). Furthermore, in this study, 69.88% of children who were cared for at home by the primary caregiver had no other forms of multiple care arrangements. The results showing high stunting and overweight rates among children cared for at home suggest that the government needs to look into supporting caregiver parenting. The high unemployment rates in the country highlight the importance of socioeconomic status in childcare and its implication for children’s nutritional outcomes. The study’s findings suggest the need for innovative strategies to address the challenges associated with multi-caregiving which negatively affects children’s nutritional outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Matshidiso Sello & Sunday A. Adedini & Clifford Odimegwu & Rebaone Petlele & Talent Tapera, 2023. "The Relationship between Childcare-Giving Arrangements and Children’s Malnutrition Status in South Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-15, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:3:p:2572-:d:1053070
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Vaaltein, Sive & Schiller, Ulene, 2017. "Addressing multi-dimensional child poverty: The experiences of caregivers in the Eastern Cape, South Africa," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 227-236.
    2. Thitikorn Topothai & Rapeepong Suphanchaimat & Chompoonut Topothai & Viroj Tangcharoensathien & Nisachol Cetthakrikul & Orratai Waleewong, 2022. "Thailand Achievement of SDG Indicator 4.2.1 on Early Child Development: An Analysis of the 2019 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-12, June.
    3. Perpetua Modjadji & Josephine Mashishi, 2020. "Persistent Malnutrition and Associated Factors among Children under Five Years Attending Primary Health Care Facilities in Limpopo Province, South Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-15, October.
    4. Servaas van der Berg & Leila Patel & Grace Bridgman, 2022. "Food insecurity in South Africa: Evidence from NIDS-CRAM wave 5," Development Southern Africa, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 39(5), pages 722-737, September.
    5. Mbalenhle Mkhize & Melusi Sibanda, 2020. "A Review of Selected Studies on the Factors Associated with the Nutrition Status of Children Under the Age of Five Years in South Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-26, October.
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