Socio-economic covariates of micronutrients supplementation and deworming among children in Ghana
Mustapha Immurana, Urma Arabi
Abstract
Objective: To investigate the socio-economic covariates of vitamin A and iron supplementation as well as deworming among children in Ghana. Methods: The 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey, which was a cross-sectional survey carried out from early September to mid-December, 2014, was the source of data for the study whiles the binary probit regression model was the empirical model of estimation. Results: The study among other findings revealed that children from the Greater Accra, Northern and Western regions were less likely to have received vitamin A supplements (VAS). Employed mothers were also revealed to be more likely to utilize VAS and dewormer for their children relative to unemployed mothers. Furthermore, mothers with secondary education, primary education, and educated mothers, respectively, were more likely to utilize VAS, iron supplements, and dewormer for their children relative to the uneducated mothers. Further, mothers with health insurance were more probable to utilize VAS for their children relative to uninsured mothers. Furthermore, children from the Guan, Ewe, Mole-Dagbani, Gurma, and Grusi ethnic backgrounds were found to be less likely to have received iron supplements. Conclusion: Given the above, the study concludes that women empowerment through education and employment, maternal health insurance, regional and ethnic behavior change communication could be effective tools in ensuring child health utilization (VAS, iron supplements, and deworming).