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The impact of timing of in utero drought shocks on birth outcomes in rural households: evidence from Sierra Leone

Author

Listed:
  • Olukorede Abiona

    (Macquarie University
    University of Technology Sydney)

  • Joseph B. Ajefu

    (Northumbria University)

Abstract

This paper investigates the impact of timeline-bound fetal exposure to drought shocks on birth outcomes in rural Sierra Leone. We link repeated cross-section birth record data across 11 years from the Sierra Leone Demographic and Health Surveys to district-level geolocation precipitation data from the University of Delaware weather repository. The methodology uses spatial distribution of precipitation across districts to identify the impacts of extreme droughts on birth outcomes. This study reinforces both harvest and direct gestation as maternal nutrition pathways for the impact of drought shocks on birth outcomes. Results also show that adverse in utero shock impacts are concentrated among poorer households and may be mitigated by antenatal care services.

Suggested Citation

  • Olukorede Abiona & Joseph B. Ajefu, 2023. "The impact of timing of in utero drought shocks on birth outcomes in rural households: evidence from Sierra Leone," Journal of Population Economics, Springer;European Society for Population Economics, vol. 36(3), pages 1333-1362, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jopoec:v:36:y:2023:i:3:d:10.1007_s00148-022-00926-w
    DOI: 10.1007/s00148-022-00926-w
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Gokben Aydilek & Deniz Karaoğlan, 2024. "The effect of prenatal exposure to Ramadan on human capital: evidence from Turkey," Journal of Population Economics, Springer;European Society for Population Economics, vol. 37(3), pages 1-35, September.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Birthweight; Harvests; Gestation; Antenatal care; Sierra Leone;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q12 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Micro Analysis of Farm Firms, Farm Households, and Farm Input Markets
    • Q18 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Agricultural Policy; Food Policy; Animal Welfare Policy
    • Q25 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Renewable Resources and Conservation - - - Water
    • Q54 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Climate; Natural Disasters and their Management; Global Warming

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