Abstract
This present study was conducted to investigate socio-cultural factors and their effects on mother, child health.
Cross-Sectional study was conducted in rural areas of District Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan. A random sample of
400 mothers aged 18-49 with at least one child (under five year) was taken through probability sampling design to
explore causes of anemia in mother and children. Blood samples of mothers and children were obtained to know
of hemoglobin. Descriptive, inferential and multivariate analysis was carried out to explore the research
objectives. It was found that with the increase of mother education and family income, the symptoms of anemia
decreased and level of hemoglobin increased both for the mother and child. Gender preferences, attitudes
towards utilization of health facilities, smoking and gender based violence were also found significant affecting the
mothers and children health. Improving female education, enabling women for generating income, and motivation
for utilizing health facilities at the health outlets, knowledge, attitude and practice towards the balanced diet and
discouraging non-food items are suggested as appropriate measures to enhance health status of mothers and
children. Sensitization of gender issues in health care, and nutrition needs special attention in relation to improved
mother-child health status.
