Childcare Arrangements and Wellbeing of Children of Employed Women in Central Uganda

Childcare has an influence on child morbidity and survival. It has an effect on children’s development potential, especially during the first five years of life. This study examined the relationship between child care arrangements and the wellbeing of children under five years whose mothers worked away from home, using survey data collected from 804 households in Wakiso District of Central Uganda. Chi-squared tests and regression analysis were used to examine the association between child wellbeing and other explanatory variables, including child care arrangements. Results showed that 52% of the children were under the care of relatives and 17% were in multiple child care arrangements. Concerning caregivers, 95% were female, 61% were resident caregivers and only 7% had no formal education. Results further show that 17%, 3% and 7% of the children of the urban working women were stunted, wasted and underweight respectively. Child wellbeing varied significantly by sex of the caregiver, religion of the mother and household wealth. Children that had female caregivers, in the middle and rich wealth quantiles and those with Pentecostal or Seventh-day Adventist mothers had better health outcomes than other children. Interventions aimed at improving the health of children of employed women should enhance the socioeconomic status of households, especially those in the poorest category. The study highlights a need to provide childcare training for men, as well as the importance of overcoming barriers that deter men’s participation in childcare work.