Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Degree

Master of Science

Program

Epidemiology and Biostatistics

Supervisor

Dr. Amardeep Thind

Abstract

Enhancing maternal and child health comprise key Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), driving an analysis of whether efforts to improve maternal health through quality antenatal care (ANC) is associated with the recommended health-related care of children in Sub-Saharan Africa, where under-five mortality is the highest.

This study examines ANC as a potential determinant of immunization and appropriate care for fever and diarrhea in Ghanaian children. Data were pooled from the 1998, 2003, and 2008 Ghana Demographic Health Surveys, and Andersen’s Behavioural Model provided the conceptual framework.

Multivariate logistic regression indicated that quality ANC increases the odds of immunization and appropriate care for children’s fever, and diarrhea. Additional determinants of children’s health-related care were uncovered, which included survey year, and region.

This study demonstrates a strong linkage between MDGs; initiatives to improve maternal health can enhance children’s health-related care, which will be useful for countries with limited resources in achieving the MDGs.

Share

COinS