Examining the Effects of Under-five Child Nutritional Status on Household Catastrophic Health Expenditures in Kenya

Abstract

Malnutrition has been shown to have a significant impact on household health expenditures, leading to catastrophic health expenditures (CHE). Given the higher prevalence of under-five malnutrition in Kenya, there is a need for empirical research to examine the effects of malnutrition on household health expenditures in Kenya. This study thus studied the effects of under-five child nutritional status on household CHE in Kenya. The purpose of the study was to determine the impact of the household head's socioeconomic characteristics on the nutritional status of under-five children and household catastrophic health expenditures, as well as to analyze the nutritional status of under-five children in Kenya. Due to the binary nature of the variables, the logit model was used in this investigation. Secondary data from the 2018 Kenya Household Health Expenditure and Utilization Survey were used in the study. According to the study, stunting, wasting, and underweight among children under five are more common in rural than in urban regions. Second, the study found a strong correlation between the risk of incurring catastrophic medical costs and the under-five child nutritional status indicators (wasting, stunting, and underweight). Thirdly, the study revealed the influence of socioeconomic factors on household catastrophic health expenditures. Female-headed households faced higher healthcare burden and an increased risk of CHE. Based on the findings, there is generally a need for a multi-faceted approach that combines nutrition-focused interventions with healthcare system strengthening and social protection measures. By addressing the determinants of child malnutrition and improving healthcare affordability and access, the burden of catastrophic health expenditure can be mitigated, leading to improved child nutrition and overall well-being.