Objectives
To assess the association between mother’s social capital and dietary diversity among infants aged 6-12 months using a cross-sectional data at enrollment from a cluster randomized trial in rural Ethiopia.
Methods
Maternal social capital in the previous year was assessed using the Adapted Social Capital Assessment Tool – Short Version, measuring community group membership, emotional/economic support, involvement in citizenship activities, and cognitive social capital. Children’s dietary diversity score (DDS, range:0-7) and consumption of 7 food groups were assessed using a 24-hour dietary recall. Linear/logistic multivariate regressions were performed, adjusting for clustering and confounding variables.
Results
Among 1,704 mothers, 61.8% had at least one community group membership; 37.1% received emotional/economic assistance from one or more individuals; 67.2% were involved in citizenship activities; and 34.3% scored high in cognitive social capital. Mothers having two or more memberships (compared to none) was associated with higher DDS (ß-coefficient=0.41; 95%CI:0.07,0.74). Community membership was associated with higher consumption of milk foods (OR=3.51; 95%CI:1.76,7.03); involvement in citizenship activities was associated with higher consumption of milk foods (OR=1.90; 95%CI:1.18,3.10) and yellow-colored fruits and vegetables (OR=2.94; 95%CI:1.72,5.03); and support from individuals was associated with higher consumption of eggs (OR=2.31; 95%CI:1.46,3.66). However, higher cognitive social capital was associated with lower consumption of meats (OR=0.35; 95%CI:0.16,0.80) and legumes (OR=0.53; 95%CI:0.30,0.95).
Conclusions
Mothers’ social capital, except for cognitive social capital, may have advantages in improving dietary diversity among young children in rural Ethiopia. It may be beneficial for child nutrition programs in low-resource settings to encourage mothers to improve their social capital.
