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New evidence about effects of reproductive variables on child mortality in sub-Saharan Africa

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  • Øystein Kravdal

Abstract

There is still considerable uncertainty about how reproductive factors affect child mortality. This study, based on Demographic and Health Survey data from 28 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, shows that mortality is highest for firstborn children with very young mothers. Other children with young mothers, or of high birth order, also experience high mortality. Net of maternal age and birth order, a short preceding birth interval is associated with above average mortality. These patterns change, however, if time-invariant unobserved mother-level characteristics of importance for both mortality and fertility are controlled for in a multilevel–multiprocess model. Most importantly, there are smaller advantages associated with longer birth intervals and being older at first birth. The implications of alternative reproductive ‘strategies’ are discussed, taking into account that if the mother is older at birth, the child will also be born in a later calendar year, when mortality may be lower.

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  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:rpstxx:v:72:y:2018:i:2:p:139-156
    DOI: 10.1080/00324728.2018.1439180
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    Cited by:

    1. Joseph Molitoris & Kieron Barclay & Martin Kolk, 2019. "When and Where Birth Spacing Matters for Child Survival: An International Comparison Using the DHS," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 56(4), pages 1349-1370, August.
    2. Øystein Kravdal, 2019. "Taking birth year into account when analysing effects of maternal age on child health and other outcomes: The value of a multilevel-multiprocess model compared to a sibling model," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 40(43), pages 1249-1290.
    3. Ann Garbett & Brienna Perelli‐Harris & Sarah Neal, 2021. "The Untold Story of 50 Years of Adolescent Fertility in West Africa: A Cohort Perspective on the Quantum, Timing, and Spacing of Adolescent Childbearing," Population and Development Review, The Population Council, Inc., vol. 47(1), pages 7-40, March.
    4. 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.
    5. Øystein Kravdal, 2020. "Are sibling models a suitable tool in analyses of how reproductive factors affect child mortality?," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 42(28), pages 777-798.

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