Aim

This study aimed to assess the association between childhood socioeconomic status and adult health in Botswana.

This article uses data from the ‘Chronic Non-communicable Diseases in Botswana: Chronic disease prevalence, Health care Utilization, Health Expenditure and the Life course’ survey (the NCD study) conducted in Botswana in 2016. The NCD study adopted a cross-sectional design. A total sample of 1178 adult men and women aged 15 years and above from three cities and towns, 15 urban villages and 15 rural areas across Botswana was derived using a multistage probability-sampling technique. Logistic regression models adjusted for current socioeconomic status were used to assess the independent influence of childhood socioeconomic status on adult health. All comparisons were deemed to be statistically significant at p < 0.05. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 25 (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA).

The odds of alcohol consumption (AOR = 2.19, p < 0.05), poor fruit and vegetable consumption (AOR = 2.67, p < 0.01), smoking (AOR = 2.18, p < 0.03) and hypertension (AOR = 1.53, p < 0.04) were significantly higher among people who reported poor childhood socioeconomic circumstances. On the other hand, people who reported poor childhood socioeconomic status were less likely to be overweight/obese. There were no significant childhood socioeconomic differences in diabetis prevalence.

Childhood socioeconomic exposures are significantly linked to adult health. Consequently, further research is needed, especially longitudinal studies to confirm pathways through which socioeconomic conditions over the life course influence adult health.

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