Abstract:
Undernutrition in Malawi is a complex issue with various contributing factors, among which
inadequate dietary intake plays a crucial role. Improving the dietary intake and nutritional status of
children is paramount for their growth, development, and overall health in Malawi. One such
intervention is the Social Cash Transfer (SCT) program, which aims to improve dietary diversity
and food security among children by providing financial support to vulnerable households. This
study assesses the determinants of household participation in social cash transfer programmes and
their impact on children's food and dietary intake in Malawi. The study focuses on exploring the
state of dietary diversity among Children-Food Items and Dietary Practices; examining the factors
that influence household participation in SCT programmes in Malawi; and assessing the impact of
Social Cash Transfer programmes on the dietary intake of children in Malawi. A quantitative
method research approach was adopted, utilizing data from the 2019-20 Malawi Multiple Indicator
Cluster Survey (MICS). Descriptive statistics, Binary Logistic Regression, and Propensity Score
Matching (PSM) were used for analysis. The analysis of dietary diversity among children reveals
significant findings regarding food group consumption, particularly focusing on grains and eggs.
Approximately 51% of children consume three to four food groups. In comparison, 21% consume
five to six, indicating a generally diverse diet crucial for their nutritional health. Notably, there is a
difference in grain consumption between Social Cash Transfer (SCT) beneficiaries and non
beneficiaries; 22.59% of SCT beneficiaries consume grains compared to 19.58% of non-SCT
beneficiaries. This suggests that the SCT may enhance access to grains, which is statistically
significant (p-value of 0.09). Egg consumption shows a similar trend, with 33.26% of SCT
beneficiaries consuming eggs compared to 29.14% of non-SCT beneficiaries, indicating a potential
positive impact of SCT programs on protein-rich food intake (p-value of 0.056). The analysis of the
Child Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) indicates a slight difference between children in households
receiving Social Cash Transfer (SCT) benefits (DDS of 3.469) and those not receiving benefits
(DDS of 3.423), with a non-significant difference of 0.046 (p-value of 0.1). Specific food group
consumption showed varied trends: grains and legume intake slightly decreased among treated
households, while dairy food intake increased modestly, suggesting a potential positive influence
of SCT programs. The results on dietary intake showed non-significant differences between
beneficiary and non-beneficiary households (p < 0.001). Participation in SCT programs was
significantly influenced by several factors, including lower participation rates among female
headed households, a positive association with older household heads, and increased likelihood of
participation in larger households. To enhance the effectiveness and inclusivity of SCT programs
in Malawi, it is recommended that tailored interventions be developed to address gender-specific
needs, thereby fostering greater participation among female-headed households; establishing a
continuous monitoring and evaluation system to adapt programs to the dynamic socio-economic
context; investing in maternal education initiatives to strengthen educational opportunities for
mothers, which positively impacts child health outcomes.
