Monal R. Shroff|Paula Griffiths|Linda S. Adair|Chirayath Suchindran|Margaret E. Bentley
Maternal autonomy is inversely related to child stunting in Andhra Pradesh, India
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
abstract child stunting outcome chronic undernutrition contributes poor quality life morbidity mortality south asia low status women thought one primary determinants undernutrition across lifespan low female status result compromised health outcomes women turn related lower infant birthweight may affect quality infant care nutrition maternal autonomy defined womans personal power household ability influence change environment likely important factor influencing child care ultimately infant child health outcomes examine relationship maternal autonomy child stunting andhra pradesh india analysed data national family health survey nfhs2 used crosssectional demographic health anthropometric information mothers oldest child lt36 months n 821 nfhs2 main explanatory variables autonomy presented four dimensions decision making permission travel attitude towards domestic violence financial autonomy constructed using seven binary variables logistic regression models used test associations indicators female autonomy risk stunted child women higher autonomy indicated access money odds ratio 0731 95 confidence interval ci 0546 0981 freedom choose go market 0593 95 ci 0376 0933 significantly less likely stunted child controlling household socioeconomic status mothers education south indian state two dimensions female autonomy independent effect child growth suggesting need interventions increase womens financial physical autonomy