Levels Of and Factors Associated with Birth Registration in the slums of Nairobi

Abstract

In this paper, we use data from the Nairobi Cross-sectional Slum Survey 2012 to examine levels and factors associated with birth registration in Nairobi slums. We used descriptive statistics and logistic regression and data of 1719 children aged 0-5 years drawn from 4564 households. We find that children who are at least 3 years, who were born to mothers aged at least 25 years, of Kikuyu/Meru/Embu ethnic groups, who were delivered in health facilities and in the presence of a health professional are more likely to be registered and to have a birth certificate. While education has no net significant effect on birth registration, women with no education, are more likely to get a birth certificate for their children. We recommend interventions by government and civil society to allow birth registration in slum health facilities as well as having outreach programs in informal schools within slums.