Maternal Education and Its Impact on Childhood Stunting in Low Income Settings
Keywords:
Maternal Education, Childhood Stunting, Child Nutrition, Health Disparities, Low and Middle Income Countries, Public Health Interventions, Women's EmpowermentAbstract
Childhood stunting remains a significant global public health concern, disproportionately affecting children under five in low and middle income countries. This narrative review aims to examine the role of maternal education in preventing stunting and improving child health outcomes. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, focusing on peer reviewed studies from the last decade that investigate the associations between maternal education and childhood stunting. The inclusion criteria centered on empirical and theoretical studies evaluating health outcomes such as nutritional status, dietary diversity, and healthcare utilization. Findings consistently indicate that maternal education is inversely associated with stunting prevalence. Educated mothers are more likely to adopt health seeking behaviors, practice better hygiene, and ensure adequate child nutrition. Furthermore, maternal education mediates access to health services and facilitates informed decision making related to child care. The review also identifies systemic barriers such as poverty, gender inequality, and poor infrastructure that compound stunting risks. Public health interventions integrating maternal education with improvements in sanitation and household conditions show significant promise in reducing stunting rates. In conclusion, maternal education is a critical determinant of child health and a powerful tool in the fight against stunting. Policy efforts should prioritize educational access for women and support multi sectoral strategies that address the broader determinants of health.
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