Differences in absolute levels of poverty between Accra and rural Lesotho probably account for these contrasting results. The contrast highlights the importance of conducting context-specific analyses of this type before designing program and policy recommendations. Other Results Household income and calorie availability are not statistically significant determinants of child nutritional status when maternal schooling and caring practices are included in the models. In this sample, household income and calorie availability only affect children's nutritional status through maternal schooling and caring practices. Other studies also show that the effect of maternal education on child outcomes often exceeds the income effect.
Mothers appear to adapt their work patterns to fit the specific needs of their young children.
The main findings have important policy implications for children's health. They suggest that if poor mothers with little formal education were trained in child feeding and use of preventive health services, the impact on the growth of children living in impoverished environments would be large. Although continued effort to improve formal education of mothers is crucial, a complementary short-term approach could target specific messages to mothers with low levels of education. The importance of maternal schooling came out clearly in the analysis. There is no variable easier to target or measure than formal schooling.