Social Class and Child Malnutrition in Nigeria

Child malnutrition remains a critical global health concern and a leading contributor to childhood morbidity and mortality in Nigeria, affecting long-term health outcomes and economic productivity. This study examines the effect of social class on malnutrition among children under five years using secondary data from the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS). Descriptive statistics, the Water/Sanitation, Assets, Maternal Education, and Income (WAMI) Index, and Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression were employed for analysis. Results indicate that the prevalence of underweight, wasting, and stunting among children was 33.11%, 46.88%, and 10.44%, respectively. The WAMI Index revealed that low-social-class households recorded the highest rates of child malnutrition. Among the variables examined, seven were statistically significant: child’s sex and age, mother’s and father’s education, receipt of vitamin A, mother’s age, and low social class. Children from low social classes had a 2.53% higher likelihood of being underweight compared to higher social classes, while the high class was excluded due to multicollinearity. These findings underscore the urgent need for socially inclusive policies that address nutritional inequality. Expanding maternal education, especially among low-income households, could significantly improve infant feeding practices, food security, and healthcare utilisation.