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<p>This study constructed a Multidimensional Child Health Deprivation Index (MCHDI) for children under 5&#xa0;years using the Alkire–Foster methodology. Grounded in the Capability Approach, the index employed 12 indicators across four dimensions: child health access, health-protective factors, household environment, and health system and policy. By documenting patterns of deprivation in health-related indicators such as immunization, postnatal care, and exposure to household air pollution, the index moves beyond income-based measures to compare children’s real opportunities to achieve well-being. Based on the 33% deprivation aggregation cutoff with equal weight assigned to all indicators, findings show that 23% of children under 5 are multidimensionally health-deprived and 10% are in a severe state of poor health, deprived in 41% of total indicators. Children in their second year of life experienced the highest incidence of multidimensional deprivation (42%). These results reflect observed disparities in access to health-related services and conditions relevant to child health. Policy interventions should not merely reduce poverty or expand services in isolation but focus on expanding real freedoms and substantive opportunities for children and families. This requires equitable access to healthcare, clean energy, and maternal support systems. Observed disparities highlight the potential role of expanded community-level health outreach, particularly for single mothers, in addressing inequalities associated with multidimensional child health deprivation. Scaling up maternal education on nutrition programmes in most areas associated with deprivations is also vital. Observed associations show that integrating women’s empowerment strategies into health interventions may support improved child health outcomes.</p>

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Beyond Survival: A Multidimensional Index of Child Health Deprivation in Uganda

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月8日

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  • Emmanuel Ssemuyaga,
  • Ibrahim Mike Okumu,
  • John Bosco Oryema

摘要

This study constructed a Multidimensional Child Health Deprivation Index (MCHDI) for children under 5 years using the Alkire–Foster methodology. Grounded in the Capability Approach, the index employed 12 indicators across four dimensions: child health access, health-protective factors, household environment, and health system and policy. By documenting patterns of deprivation in health-related indicators such as immunization, postnatal care, and exposure to household air pollution, the index moves beyond income-based measures to compare children’s real opportunities to achieve well-being. Based on the 33% deprivation aggregation cutoff with equal weight assigned to all indicators, findings show that 23% of children under 5 are multidimensionally health-deprived and 10% are in a severe state of poor health, deprived in 41% of total indicators. Children in their second year of life experienced the highest incidence of multidimensional deprivation (42%). These results reflect observed disparities in access to health-related services and conditions relevant to child health. Policy interventions should not merely reduce poverty or expand services in isolation but focus on expanding real freedoms and substantive opportunities for children and families. This requires equitable access to healthcare, clean energy, and maternal support systems. Observed disparities highlight the potential role of expanded community-level health outreach, particularly for single mothers, in addressing inequalities associated with multidimensional child health deprivation. Scaling up maternal education on nutrition programmes in most areas associated with deprivations is also vital. Observed associations show that integrating women’s empowerment strategies into health interventions may support improved child health outcomes.