Importance of Investing in the First 1,000 Days of Life: Evidence and Policy Options

Investment in the first 1,000 days of life is important for human capital development. The basic needs and services in these days of life are maternal healthcare; child healthcare; mobilization of mothers to seek early antenatal care; increasing hospital deliveries; enhancing exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life; increasing knowledge on the proper weaning diet; immunization; and early diagnosis and treatment of common childhood illnesses. However, there is a dearth evidence on the importance of investing in the early years of life. The purpose of this study was to explore the role of investing in the first 1,000 days of life for improved human capital accumulation. The study utilized the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) 2022 data. Using the Cox regression hazard model, the study found out that twins have a higher risk of mortality than single births and firstborns were less likely to die before their fifth birthday than the children born after them. The findings also indicate that an increase in the household size by 1 individual reduces the likelihood of death for children aged less than 1 year and for children aged between 13 and 60 months. Children from female-headed households reported a lower likelihood of mortality. Perhaps this is because of assurance of breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life when the child is living with the mother, increasing the probability of knowledge on the proper weaning diet and improved uptake of immunization by the mother. The likelihood of mortality for children whose mothers reported health comorbidities was higher than for those who reported good health. Children younger than 1 year of mothers who were assisted during delivery were less likely to die than those whose parents were assisted during delivery. In relation to the place of delivery, children who were delivered at a government health facility were less likely to die than those who were born at home. Based on these findings, the study recommends provision of civic education to pregnant and new mothers on the risks facing their new-borns and the importance of following the laid out public health protocols of the first 1,000 days of life to ensure the childrens survival..