Household food (in)security and nutritional status of urban poor children aged 6 to 23 months in Kenya

Background Millions of people in low and low middle income countries suffer from extreme hunger and malnutrition. Research on the effect of food insecurity on child nutrition is concentrated in high income settings and has produced mixed results. Moreover, the existing evidence on food security and nutrition in children in low and middle income countries is either cross-sectional and/or is based primarily on rural populations. In this paper, we examine the effect of household food security status and its interaction with household wealth status on stunting among children aged between 6 and 23 months in resource-poor urban setting in Kenya. Methods We use longitudinal data collected between 2006 and 2012 from two informal settlements in Nairobi, Kenya. Mothers and their new-borns were recruited into the study at birth and followed prospectively. The analytical sample comprised 6858 children from 6552 households. Household food security was measured as a latent variable derived from a set of questions capturing the main domains of access, availability and affordability. A composite measure of wealth was calculated using asset ownership and amenities. Nutritional status was measured using Height-for-Age (HFA) z-scores. Children whose HFA z-scores were below −2 standard deviation were categorized as stunted. We used Cox regression to analyse the data. Results The prevalence of stunting was 49 %. The risk of stunting increased by 12 % among children from food insecure households. When the joint effect of food security and wealth status was assessed, the risk of stunting increased significantly by 19 and 22 % among children from moderately food insecure and severely food insecure households and ranked in the middle poor wealth status. Among the poorest and least poor households, food security was not statistically associated with stunting. Conclusion Our results shed light on the joint effect of food security and wealth status on stunting. Study findings underscore the need for social protection policies to reduce the high rates of child malnutrition in the urban informal settlements

The effect of education on household food security in two informal urban settlements in Kenya: a longitudinal analysis

Poverty and food insecurity continue to feature prominently in the global agenda, with particularly close attention being paid to the determinants of food insecurity. However, the effect of education is mixed and remains understudied in low income countries. Using longitudinal data collected between 2007 and 2012 in Kenya, we investigated the effect of household education attainment on food security among poor urban households. Household food security was constructed from a set of four key items while education was the average years of schooling for individuals aged 18 years and above in a household. To determine the association between education attainment and food security, we fitted a random effects generalised ordered probit model. The prevalence of severe food insecurity ranged from 49% in 2008 to 35% in 2012. The ordered probit results showed a significant effect of education on food security. The probability of being food insecure decreased by 0.019 for a unit increase in the average years of schooling for a given household. The effect of education, remained significant even after controlling for household wealth index, a more proximate determinant of food security in a cash-based economy such as the urban slums. The findings highlight the need to focus on the food security status of the urban poor. Specifically, results suggest the need for programs aimed at reducing food insecurity among the urban poor and enhancing household livelihoods. In addition, investment in the education of the slum households may, in the long term, contribute to reduction in the prevalence of food insecurity

Predictors of Early Childhood Developmental Outcomes: The Importance of Quality Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) Services

Few studies have established the influence of different aspects of early childhood development and education (ECDE) quality on children’s outcomes in low-resourced settings in sub-Saharan Africa. We examined the impact of different aspects of ECDE quality on school readiness in a low-income context. The current study is a cross-sectional sub-study of the Tayari preschool pilot program evaluation. Baseline data were collected from public ECDE centers. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to establish predictors of school readiness, that is, 4-6-year-old children being mentally, physically, socially and emotionally ready to start and succeed in primary school. Teaching experience, availability of textbooks and school facilities were significant predictors; learners’ school readiness scores decreased with each additional year of teachers’ experience, and were higher where school facilities were better, and in schools where textbooks were available. On the other hand, school enrolment, classroom resources, head teacher support, educational attainment and teacher training did not predict school readiness. Promoting quality preschool programs has important implications for policy as it can lead to improved school readiness and later success for children in disadvantaged settings

GENDER PARTICIPATION IN TECHNICAL TRAINING INSTITUTIONS: AN ASSESSMENT OF THE KENYAN CASE

The paper focuses on skill training opportunities for females in Technical Education Programmes (TEP) in Kenya. In Africa, labour markets have become so competitive that females need to be assisted to enter such markets. Expanding skill-training opportunities for females in training institutions could meet this demand. Informal interviews and questionnaires were used to collect data that were analysed within the framework of human capital theory. Sex balance was lacking in TEP and most institutions were internally inefficient, with endogenous factors forcing trainees out of the training programmes. Eastern Africa Social Science Research Review Vol.XVIII(1) 2002: 21-3