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Infrastructure-driven healthcare advancements: Rural Roads and Maternal Health in Ethiopia

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  • Ahmed, Musa Hasen
  • Tesfaye, Wondimagegn Mesfin

Abstract

We examine the link between road accessibility and the use of maternal healthcare services in Ethiopia. Using a quasi-experimental design, we compare maternal health outcomes in villages before and after road construction alongside control villages without such infrastructure. Our analysis suggests that rural road development is associated with increased utilization of maternal healthcare services during the prenatal stage. However, we did not observe significant associations during the birth or postnatal stages. Using data collected before the commencement of the road expansion program, we confirm that the observed association between road access and maternal healthcare utilization can be attributed to the road infrastructure rather than to pre-existing conditions in the villages.

Suggested Citation

  • Ahmed, Musa Hasen & Tesfaye, Wondimagegn Mesfin, 2025. "Infrastructure-driven healthcare advancements: Rural Roads and Maternal Health in Ethiopia," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 118(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:soceco:v:118:y:2025:i:c:s2214804325000916
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socec.2025.102427
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    JEL classification:

    • I15 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Economic Development
    • H54 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Infrastructures
    • I11 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Analysis of Health Care Markets
    • R42 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - Government and Private Investment Analysis; Road Maintenance; Transportation Planning
    • O18 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Urban, Rural, Regional, and Transportation Analysis; Housing; Infrastructure

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