Table 1.
Variables definition
| Independent variables | Description |
|---|---|
| Individual‐level factors | |
| Child factors | |
| Age of child (months) | Categorized into (1) 0–11; (2) 12–23; (3) 24–35; (4) 36–47; and (5) 48–59. |
| Sex of child | Categorized into (1) female and (2) male. |
| Birthweight (g) | Categorized into (1) low < 2500 and (2) normal ≥ 2500. |
| Type of birth | Categorized into (1) single and (2) multiple birth. |
| Maternal/household factors | |
| Maternal age in years | Categorized into (1) 15–24; (2) 25–34; or (3) 35–49. |
| Educational level of mother | Categorized into (1) no formal education; (2) primary; (3) secondary; or (4) higher. |
| Breastfeeding (months) | Categorized into (1) <6; (2) 6–12; (3) 13–24; or (4) >24. |
| Immunization | Categorized into (1) incomplete or (2) complete. |
| Mother's body mass index (kg/m2) | Categorized into (1) <18.5; (2) 18.5–24.9; or (3) ≥25.0. |
| Occupation | Categorized into (1) not working; (2) manual; or (3) white collar. |
| Birth interval (months) | Categorized into (1) ≥24 and (2) <24. |
| Number of under‐fives | Categorized into (1) 1; (2) 2; (3) 3; or (4) ≥4. |
| Ethnicity | Categorized into (1) major or (2) minor. |
| Maternal health‐seeking behaviour | Categorized into (1) (first quantile) (Least); (2) (second quantile); (3)(third quantile); (4) (fourth quantile); or (5) (fifth quantile) (Highest). |
| Type of family | Categorized into (1) monogamous or (2) polygamous. |
| Head of household | Categorized into (1) male or (2) female. |
| Wealth index | Categorized into (1) (first quintile) (Poorest); (2) (second quintile); (3) (third quintile); (4) (fourth quintile); or (5) (fifth quintile) (Richest) |
| Community‐level factors | |
| Residence | Categorized into (1) rural or (2) urban. |
| Geographic region | Categorized into (1) North Central; (2) North East; (3) North West; (4) South East; (5) South South; or (6) South West. |
| Poverty rate | Proportion of households living below poverty level (wealth index below 20%, poorest quintile). Categorized into (1) Low or (2) High. Median value serves as the reference for the low and high groups. |
| Illiteracy rate | Proportion of people in the community with no formal education. Categorized into (1) Low or (2) High. Median value serves as the reference for the low and high groups. |
| Unemployment rate | Proportion of people who are unemployed in the communities. Categorized into (1) Low or (2) High. Median value serves as the reference for the low and high groups. |
| Proper sanitation | Categorized into (1) Yes or (2) No. |
| Safe water | Categorized into (1) Yes or (2) No. |