Table 2 Individual-and community-level characteristics of study subjects, pooled data from five SSA countries (n = 16,226)

Maternal age

15–24 years

6,260

38.58

25–34 years

7,076

43.61

35–49 years

2,890

17.81

Maternal educational level

No formal education

2,364

14.57

Primary

8,663

53.39

Secondary and above

5,199

32.04

Current marital status of the mother

Married

13,280

81.84

Unmarried

2,946

18.16

Maternal occupation

Not working

5,822

35.90

Working

10,399

64.10

Exposure to media

Yes

10,731

66.13

No

5,495

33.87

Wealth index

Poor

7,620

46.96

Middle

3,100

19.11

Rich

5,506

33.93

Place of delivery

Home

2,575

15.87

Health facility

13,651

84.13

Attended 4 + ANC visits

Yes

9,976

61.48

No

6,250

38.52

PNC checkup

Yes

4,993

31.93

No

10,643

68.07

Age of child

6–8 months

2,809

17.32

9–11 months

2,832

17.45

12–17 months

5,381

33.16

18–23 months

5,204

32.07

Sex of child

Male

8,267

50.95

Female

7,959

49.05

Place of residence

Rural

12,357

76.16

Urban

3,869

23.84

Community media exposure

Low

8,821

54.36

High

7,405

45.64

Community poverty

Low

8,184

50.44

High

8,042

49.56

Community literacy

Low

6,413

39.52

High

9,813

60.48