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The Effect of Antimalarial Campaigns on Child Mortality and Fertility in Sub-Saharan Africa

Author

Listed:
  • Joshua Wilde

    (Department of Economics, University of South Florida)

  • B�n�dicte H. Apouey

    (Paris School of Economics)

  • Gabriel Picone

    (Department of Economics, University of South Florida)

  • Joseph Coleman

    (Department of Economics, University of South Florida)

Abstract

We examine to what extent recent declines in mortality and fertility in sub-Saharan Africa can be attributed to insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs). Exploiting the rapid increase in ITNs during the mid-2000s, we employ a difference-in-differences estimation strategy to identify the causal effect of ITNs on mortality and fertility. We show that ITNs reduced all-cause child mortality, but surprisingly increased total fertility rates in spite of reduced desire for children and increased contraceptive use. We explain this paradox by showing evidence for an unexpected increase in fecundity and sexual activity due to the better health environment after the ITN distribution.

Suggested Citation

  • Joshua Wilde & B�n�dicte H. Apouey & Gabriel Picone & Joseph Coleman, 2017. "The Effect of Antimalarial Campaigns on Child Mortality and Fertility in Sub-Saharan Africa," Working Papers 0616, University of South Florida, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:usf:wpaper:0616
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Denis Cogneau & Pauline Rossi, 2019. "Malaria control and infant mortality in Africa," Working Papers hal-01543033, HAL.
    2. Andrew E. Clark & Anthony Lepinteur, 2022. "A Natural Experiment on Job Insecurity and Fertility in France," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 104(2), pages 386-398, May.
    3. Giulia La Mattina & Olga N. Shemyakina, 2017. "Domestic Violence and Childhood Exposure to Armed Conflict: Attitudes and Experiences," HiCN Working Papers 255, Households in Conflict Network.
    4. Shampa Bhattacharjee & Aparajita Dasgupta, 2022. "Disease Eradication, Infant Mortality, and Fertility Response: Evidence from Malaria Eradication in India," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 58(12), pages 2444-2459, December.
    5. Kuschnig, Nikolas & Vashold, Lukas, 2023. "The economic impacts of malaria: past, present, and future," Department of Economics Working Paper Series 338, WU Vienna University of Economics and Business.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Malaria; Bed nets; Child mortality; Fertility; Sub-Saharan Africa;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I15 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Economic Development
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • O10 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - General

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