Quantile Regression for Identifying the Determinants of Child Malnutrition in Ethiopia

Abstract

Child malnutrition is serious health, socioeconomic and demographic problems in Ethiopia. The objective of this study was to investigate the determinants for childhood malnutrition in Ethiopia. We used the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey data. Quantile regression model with particular emphasis on the 10th , 25th, 50th, 75th and 90th percentiles were used to identify the risk factors of malnutrition at a more comprehensive spectrum. The results show that the child's age, sex, preceding birth interval, birth order, breast feeding, mother's body mass index, use of internet mother's education level, types of toilet and region are all significant factors related with childhood malnutrition in Ethiopia