Factors in Household Settings Linked to the Feeding and Nutritional Status of Children Aged 6-23 months in Rural Farming Districts, Ghana

The UNICEF Conceptual Framework of Determinants of Undernutrition indicates that most of these determinants that result in malnutrition in children originate at the household level. This study investigates household factors associated with stunting, wasting, underweight, and adherence to a minimum acceptable diet (MAD) among children aged 6 to 23 months in two predominately farming districts in Ghana. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 935 households. Face-to-face interviews were conducted to gather information on household characteristics, anthropometric measurements, and children's dietary intake. Multivariate logistic regression was applied to assess the relationships between household factors and child nutrition outcomes using Stata software (version 15.0). Findings revealed that children residing in a household with a high monthly income between GH¢100 - GH¢300 (AOR= 2.03, 95% CI: 1.29 - 3.23, p= 0.003) and had access to toilet facilities (AOR=1.71, 95% CI: 1.11 - 2.63, p = 0.015) were significantly more likely to receive a MAD. Conversely, children belonging to larger households (7 - 10 members) had a significantly lower likelihood of receiving an adequate MAD (AOR= 0.15, 95% CI: 0.06 -0.39, p<0.001) and were more likely to experience stunting (AOR = 2.25, 95% CI: 1.21 - 4.17, p=0.010). Living in households with small sizes, high monthly income earnings and access to toilet facilities are positive predictors of children receiving MAD. Belonging to households with high-income earnings was protective against wasting and being underweight. Therefore, interventions that promote family planning, offering well-paid jobs, and ensuring access to sanitation amenities are critical in rural settings to prevent undernutrition in children.