Analysis of Correlated Outcomes of Anthropometric Measurements for under-Five Children in Tanzania

Edgar Pallangyo, RAS

The study aims to apply Multivariate Generalized Linear Mixed Models to examine factors associated with correlated outcomes, particularly anthropometric measurements among children under five in Tanzania. Weight for Age, Height for Age and Weight for Height) among children under five in Tanzania were jointly modeled to identify common factors associated with childhood malnutrition. A total of 9,052 children with valid measures of Height and Weight were processed and analyzed. The results indicate that Weight for Age was correlated with Height for Age (p-value<2e-16) and Weight for Height (p-value<2e-16). The Multivariate Ordered Logit Model has lower AIC=53213.92 and BIC=52727.95, indicating a better model fit than the Multivariate Ordered Probit Model. In Tanzania, the Child’s age, birth order, mother’s education, Child’s gender, mother’s working status, wealth index, marital status, and mother’s body mass index are important determinants of malnutrition among children under five. As a result, emphasis should be placed on analyzing correlated health outcomes to conclude the factors that may have a mutual effect on anthropometric measurements.

Keywords: Health and Morbidity, Children, Adolescents, and Youth, Multi-level modeling

See paper.