IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/pal/eurjdr/v34y2022i5d10.1057_s41287-021-00458-1.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Exploring the Relationship Between Maternal Occupation and Under-Five Mortality: Empirical Evidence from 26 Developing Countries

Author

Listed:
  • Rafi Amir-ud-Din

    (COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus)

  • Sameen Zafar

    (Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS))

  • Muhammad Muzammil

    (COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus)

  • Rabia Shabbir
  • Summaira Malik

    (COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus)

  • Muhammad Usman

    (COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus)

Abstract

While greater female participation in the job market is seen as an effective way of achieving higher economic growth, some studies reveal that maternal employment could be a risk factor for child mortality. We analyze the association between under-five mortality and maternal employment in 26 developing countries from Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East using Demographic and Health Surveys. Logistic regression results suggest that maternal employment is associated with a 24.5% higher risk of child mortality than stay-at-home mothers. Compared to stay-at-home mothers, maternal engagement in agriculture is associated with 24% higher odds of under-5 mortality, while engagement in blue-collar jobs is associated with 29% higher odds of under-5 mortality. We also find that white-collar jobs do not give any advantage over the stay-at-home mothers with respect to this risk. Interaction of maternal employment types with breastfeeding confirms the increased risk of child mortality for agriculture and blue-collar jobs.

Suggested Citation

  • Rafi Amir-ud-Din & Sameen Zafar & Muhammad Muzammil & Rabia Shabbir & Summaira Malik & Muhammad Usman, 2022. "Exploring the Relationship Between Maternal Occupation and Under-Five Mortality: Empirical Evidence from 26 Developing Countries," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 34(5), pages 2373-2399, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:eurjdr:v:34:y:2022:i:5:d:10.1057_s41287-021-00458-1
    DOI: 10.1057/s41287-021-00458-1
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1057/s41287-021-00458-1
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1057/s41287-021-00458-1?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Cawley, John & Liu, Feng, 2012. "Maternal employment and childhood obesity: A search for mechanisms in time use data," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 10(4), pages 352-364.
    2. Jamie M. Sommer, 2020. "Corruption and Health expenditure: A Cross-National Analysis on Infant and Child Mortality," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 32(3), pages 690-717, July.
    3. Y. H. Gebresilassie & P. Nyatanga & M. A. Gebreselassie, 2021. "Determinants of Rural–Urban Differentials in Under-Five Child Mortality in Ethiopia," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 33(3), pages 710-734, June.
    4. Unnati Rani Saha & Arthur van Soest & Govert E. Bijwaard, 2014. "Cause-specific neonatal deaths in rural Bangladesh, 1987-2005: Levels, trends, and determinants," Population Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 68(3), pages 247-263, November.
    5. Minten, Bart & Mohammed, Belay & Tamru, Seneshaw, 2020. "Emerging medium-scale tenant farming, gig economies, and the COVID-19 disruption: Evidence from commercial vegetable clusters in Ethiopia," ESSP working papers 149, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    6. Shelah Bloom & David Wypij & Monica Gupta, 2001. "Dimensions of women’s autonomy and the influence on maternal health care utilization in a north indian city," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 38(1), pages 67-78, February.
    7. Camilla Sandal Sejbaek & Hans Bay & Ann Dyreborg Larsen & Petter Kristensen & Vivi Schlünssen & Anne-Marie Nybo Andersen & Jens Peter Bonde & Mette Juhl & Karin Sørig Hougaard, 2018. "Combined exposure to lifting and psychosocial strain at work and adverse pregnancy outcomes—A study in the Danish National Birth Cohort," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(9), pages 1-15, September.
    8. Jean Beuve & Stéphane Saussier & Julie de Brux, 2018. "An Economic Analysis of Public-Private Partnerships," Université Paris1 Panthéon-Sorbonne (Post-Print and Working Papers) hal-02139523, HAL.
    9. Snigdha Chakrabarti & Chaiti Sharmab Biswas, 2012. "An Exploratory Analysis of Women's Empowerment in India: A Structural Equation Modelling Approach," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 48(1), pages 164-180, May.
    10. Rathmony Hong & Pauline Yongeun Ahn & Frank Wieringa & Tung Rathavy & Ludovic Gauthier & Rathavuth Hong & Arnaud Laillou & Judit Van Geystelen & Jacques Berger & Etienne Poirot, 2017. "The unfinished health agenda: Neonatal mortality in Cambodia," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(3), pages 1-13, March.
    11. Cathy Rozel Farnworth & Tahseen Jafry & Kanchan Lama & Sushila Chatterjee Nepali & Lone B. Badstue, 2019. "From Working in the Wheat Field to Managing Wheat: Women Innovators in Nepal," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 31(2), pages 293-313, April.
    12. Bart Minten & Belay Mohammed & Seneshaw Tamru, 2020. "Emerging Medium-Scale Tenant Farming, Gig Economies, and the COVID-19 Disruption: The Case of Commercial Vegetable Clusters in Ethiopia," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 32(5), pages 1402-1429, December.
    13. Anderson, Patricia M., 2012. "Parental employment, family routines and childhood obesity," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 10(4), pages 340-351.
    14. Øystein Kravdal, 2018. "New evidence about effects of reproductive variables on child mortality in sub-Saharan Africa," Population Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 72(2), pages 139-156, May.
    15. Anderson, Siwan & Eswaran, Mukesh, 2009. "What determines female autonomy? Evidence from Bangladesh," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 90(2), pages 179-191, November.
    16. Fallon, Kathleen M. & Mazar, Alissa & Swiss, Liam, 2017. "The Development Benefits of Maternity Leave," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 96(C), pages 102-118.
    17. Morrisson, Christian & Jutting, Johannes P., 2005. "Women's discrimination in developing countries: A new data set for better policies," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 33(7), pages 1065-1081, July.
    18. Bicego, George T. & Ties Boerma, J., 1993. "Maternal education and child survival: A comparative study of survey data from 17 countries," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 36(9), pages 1207-1227, May.
    19. Okechukwu Dennis Anyamele & John Obioma Ukawuilulu & Benedict Ndubisi Akanegbu, 2017. "The Role of Wealth and Mother’s Education in Infant and Child Mortality in 26 Sub-Saharan African Countries: Evidence from Pooled Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) Data 2003–2011 and African Develop," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 130(3), pages 1125-1146, February.
    20. Nancy Luke & Hongwei Xu, 2011. "Exploring the meaning of context for health: Community influences on child health in South India," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 24(15), pages 345-374.
    21. Meyer, Sophie-Charlotte, 2016. "Maternal employment and childhood overweight in Germany," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 23(C), pages 84-102.
    22. Otto Lenhart, 2017. "Do Higher Minimum Wages Benefit Health? Evidence From the UK," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 36(4), pages 828-852, September.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Tosi, Francesca & Rettaroli, Rosella, 2022. "Intergenerational transmission of dietary habits among Italian children and adolescents," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 44(C).
    2. Imai, Katsushi S. & Annim, Samuel Kobina & Kulkarni, Veena S. & Gaiha, Raghav, 2014. "Women’s Empowerment and Prevalence of Stunted and Underweight Children in Rural India," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 88-105.
    3. Bezawit T. Agiro & Wei-Chiao Huang, 2020. "Re-Examining the Effect of Maternal Employment on Child Overweight: The Case of School-Age Children," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 41(1), pages 140-157, March.
    4. Susanna M Makela & Rakhi Dandona & T R Dilip & Lalit Dandona, 2013. "Social Sector Expenditure and Child Mortality in India: A State-Level Analysis from 1997 to 2009," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(2), pages 1-10, February.
    5. Kalle Hirvonen & Bart Minten & Belay Mohammed & Seneshaw Tamru, 2021. "Food prices and marketing margins during the COVID‐19 pandemic: Evidence from vegetable value chains in Ethiopia," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 52(3), pages 407-421, May.
    6. Rania Salem & Yuk Fai Cheong & Kathryn M. Yount, 2018. "Is Women’s Work a Pathway to their Agency in Rural Minya, Egypt?," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 136(2), pages 807-831, April.
    7. Joelle Abramowitz, 2016. "The connection between working hours and body mass index in the U.S.: a time use analysis," Review of Economics of the Household, Springer, vol. 14(1), pages 131-154, March.
    8. Ms Fozia & Durdana Qaiser Gillani & Asifa Iftikhar, 2022. "Do Employed Females Provide Better Care to Their Children? The Case of Education and Health Care in Pakistan," Journal of Economic Impact, Science Impact Publishers, vol. 4(2), pages 134-141.
    9. Itismita Mohanty & Tesfaye Alemayehu Gebremedhin, 2018. "Maternal autonomy and birth registration in India: Who gets counted?," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(3), pages 1-19, March.
    10. Bargain, Olivier & Boutin, Delphine & Champeaux, Hugues, 2019. "Women's political participation and intrahousehold empowerment: Evidence from the Egyptian Arab Spring," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 141(C).
    11. Melinda Schmidt & Harald Strotmann & Jürgen Volkert, 2022. "Female and Male Community-Level Empowerment: Capability Approach-Based Findings for Rural India," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 34(2), pages 754-784, April.
    12. Edberg, Dana & Mukhopadhyay, Sankar & Wendel, Jeanne, 2019. "Incentive design to boost health for juveniles with Medicaid coverage: Evidence from a field experiment," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 33(C), pages 101-115.
    13. Caro, Juan Carlos, 2020. "Child development and obesity prevention: evidence from the Chilean School Meals Program," MPRA Paper 98865, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    14. Ahmed Shoukry Rashad & Mesbah Fathy Sharaf, 2019. "Does maternal employment affect child nutrition status? New evidence from Egypt," Oxford Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 47(1), pages 48-62, January.
    15. Katsushi Imai & Samuel Kobina Annim & Raghav Gaiha & Veena S. Kulkarni, 2012. "Does Women’s Empowerment Reduce Prevalence of Stunted and Underweight Children in Rural India?," Economics Discussion Paper Series 1209, Economics, The University of Manchester.
    16. Georgia S. Papoutsi & Andreas C. Drichoutis & Rodolfo M. Nayga Jr., 2013. "The Causes Of Childhood Obesity: A Survey," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 27(4), pages 743-767, September.
    17. Altanshagai Batmunkh & Maria Fekete-Farkas & Zoltan Lakner, 2022. "Bibliometric Analysis of Gig Economy," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-15, April.
    18. repec:rdg:wpaper:em-dp2011-05 is not listed on IDEAS
    19. Viens, Laura J. & Clouston, Sean & Messina, Catherine R., 2016. "Women's autonomy and cervical cancer screening in the Lesotho Demographic and Health Survey 2009," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 23-30.
    20. Antelo, Manel & Magdalena, Pilar & Reboredo, Juan C., 2017. "Obesity: A major problem for Spanish minors," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 24(C), pages 61-73.
    21. Reardon, Thomas & Liverpool-Tasie, Saweda & Minten, Bart, 2022. "IFAD Research Series 78: The Small and Medium Enterprises’ quiet revolution in the hidden middle of food systems in developing regions," IFAD Research Series 321998, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:pal:eurjdr:v:34:y:2022:i:5:d:10.1057_s41287-021-00458-1. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.palgrave-journals.com/ .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.