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Causes and Child Health Consequences of Maternal Fertility Choices in Cameroon

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  • Francis Menjo Baye and Dinven Djibril Sitan

    (Economics and Management, University of Yaounde II)

Abstract

This paper examined correlates of fertility choices and the effect of fertility choices on child health status, while controlling for other correlates. Use is made of the 2004 Cameroon Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) and the control function econometric approach to address these issues. Results showed that women with twins have higher fertility and fertility choices are strongly negatively correlated with child health. There is an indirect effect of fertility on child health captured by the interaction of fertility with its predicted residual. Mother¡¯s education at both household and community levels was found to be inversely related with maternal fertility but consistent with the production of better child health. Policy implications suggested that expanding public support for social services reaching poor households, would accordingly reduce expected fertility rates and bring about better child health.

Suggested Citation

  • Francis Menjo Baye and Dinven Djibril Sitan, 2016. "Causes and Child Health Consequences of Maternal Fertility Choices in Cameroon," Journal of Economic Development, Chung-Ang Unviersity, Department of Economics, vol. 41(4), pages 79-100, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:jed:journl:v:41:y:2016:i:4:p:79-100
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Maternal Fertility; Child Health; DHS; Cameroon;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth

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