Determinants of Underweight among Children of Adolescent Mothers in Western Kenya DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ajhs.v38i1.8

Abstract

Background: Underweight among adolescent mothers' children remains a significant public health issue, especially in Low and middle-income countries [LMICs]. Understanding context-based determinants of underweight is important in the formulation of specific interventions necessary for addressing it. Therefore, this study investigated the determinants of underweight among children of adolescent mothers in Vihiga County, Western Kenya.

Methodology: This hospital-based cross-sectional study was carried out across 25 health facilities in Vihiga County. A total of 121 adolescent mothers were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire to obtain their children's health status data. Additional information was obtained from the antenatal, postnatal and maternity records. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics, bivariate analyses, and multivariable logistic regression models in STATA version 18.

Results: Overall, 15.3% of children born to adolescent mothers were undernourished, with 4.7% underweight and 10.6% severely underweight. Maternal primary-level education was associated with higher odds of child underweight [aOR = 6.66, 95% CI: 2.02–21.96, p = 0.002]. Preterm delivery emerged as the strongest predictor [aOR = 17.6, 95% CI: 3.24–96.44, p = 0.001]. Additional determinants included lack of parental support and guidance [aOR = 7.31, 95% CI: 1.89–28.38, p = 0.004] and limited access to healthcare [aOR = 4.86, 95% CI: 1.26–18.71, p = 0.021].

Conclusion: Maternal education, parental support, preterm delivery and challenges in accessing health services are key determinants of underweight in children of adolescent mothers in Vihiga. There is an urgent need for programmatic interventions to address these determinants to promote these vulnerable children's health outcomes.