Single mothers' efforts to reduce their under-five child mortality: Influence of poverty &hunger, education and women empowerment

The present study aims to measure efforts of single mothers in reducing the chances of under-five child mortality with influence of Poverty & Hunger (MDG1); Education (MDG2) and Women empowerment (MDG3).Methodology: Data of Demographic Health Survey from 16 different countries were included for mothers with at least one child under age of five. MDG1 was computed from those who were in poorest level or underweighted; MDG2 for the educated at least to primary level and MDG3 those who were working, involved in household decision-making and refuse any justification of wife beating. Efforts to reducing under-five child mortality were measured by having optimum child nutrition, absence of recent infections and measles vaccination. Influence of different MDGs was estimated through logistic regression analysis after controlling for women age; residence; country economic level and number of children under five. Results: Single mothers compared to mothers in union were more to have their children optimally nourished (78% Vs 74%) and vaccinated against measles (68% VS 63%); however, less free from recent infections (73% VS 77%). Poverty & hunger lowered chances of reducing under-five child mortality (OR: 0.79; with 95%CI: 0.77-0.81), meanwhile both education and empowerment doubled them (OR 1.81; 95%CI: 1.75-1.87 & OR1.96; 95%CI: 1.92-2.03 respectively). Single mothers were statistically significant equal to in union ones (OR: 1.10; 95%CI: 1.05-1.15) in reducing under-five child mortality Conclusion: Single mothers and in union ones could succeed in lowering under-five child mortality when they are educated and empowered to overcome the negative effect of poverty& hunger.