INFLUENCE OF MATERNAL SOCIAL CAPITAL ON HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF MOTHERS OF UNDER-FIVE CHILDREN ATTENDING PHCs in IDO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, OYO STATE

Abstract

Social capital, health and wellbeing studies have focused more on mothers’ social capital and child health outcomes in different aspect of health issues but there is a dearth of studies with respect to health and wellbeing of mothers of under-five children. This study investigated the influence of maternal social capital on health and wellbeing of mothers of under-five children attending PHCs in Ido LGA, Oyo State. This study was a descriptive cross-sectional study. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 385 respondents from 4 PHCs in the LGA. Data collection was done using a semi structured questionnaire, structural social capital (SSC) was measured with a 21 point scale with categorisation scores of ≤6 as low SSC, 7-13 as average SSC and 14-21 as high SSC. Cognitive social capital (CSC) was measured with a 7 point scale with categorisation scores of ≤3 as low CSC and ≥4-≤7 as high CSC. Overall social capita status (SCS) was measured with a 32 point scale with categorisation scores of ≥15 as low and >15-≤32 as high social capital. Wellbeing was measured with a 64 point scale with scores of ≤21 as low, ≥22-≤42 as average and ≥43 as high. Body Mass Index (BMI) was categorised based on WHO Global data base for BMI. Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) was categorised with scores <11cm as severe acute malnutrition, 11.1≥12.5 as moderate acute malnutrition, 12.6≥13.5 as at risk of acute malnutrition and 13.6 and above well nourished. Data analysis was done using descriptive and inferential statistics at the significant level of P < 0.05. The mean age of the mothers was 29.9 ± 6.1 and almost all (99.7%) mothers had average level of SSC. More than half (59.7%) had high and 40.3% had low CSC. Overall SCS result show that majority of the mothers (86.2%) had low SCS and only 13.8% had high SCS. Majority (75.6%) had high wellbeing, 22.1% and 2.3% had average and low wellbeing respectively. Less than half (46.0%) of the mothers were of normal weight (18.5-24.9), above a third (39.1%) were overweight (25-29.9). Among the under-five children, 61% were found to be well nourished. Overall social capital was found not to be statistically related to the wellbeing and BMI status but benefits derived from participating in social groups such as: useful health information (p=0.005), child care support (p=0.003) were significantly associated with wellbeing and health status. A linear regression analysis showed an inverse relationship between getting useful health information as benefit ddeveloping friendship and a sense of belonging and wellbeing (OR: 2.204; C.I.: 0.015 – 0.260). This study revealed that mothers derive more benefit from informal and religious groups indicating that not all social networks have direct benefits for health and wellbeing. Therefore mothers should be encouraged to engage in networks that are of healthful benefits to ensure effective knowledge sharing in sustaining promotion of health and wellbeing among mothers of under-five children.erived from participating in networks and wellbeing (OR: -2.1, C.I.: -0.3 - -0.0) and a direct relationship between developing friendship and a sense of belonging and wellbeing (OR: 2.204; C.I.: 0.015 – 0.260). This study revealed that mothers derive more benefit from informal and religious groups indicating that not all social networks have direct benefits for health and wellbeing. Therefore mothers should be encouraged to engage in networks that are of healthful benefits to ensure effective knowledge sharing in sustaining promotion of health and wellbeing among mothers of under-five children