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Health shocks and consumption smoothing among rural households in Nigeria

Author

Listed:
  • Onisanwa Idowu Daniel

    (Department of Economics & Development Studies, Faculty of Humanities, Management & Social Sciences, Federal University of Kashere, Gombe, Nigeria)

  • Olaniyan Olanrewaju

    (Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria)

Abstract

Aim/purpose – The prevalence of poverty among Nigerian households and limited social safety nets predispose the country to health shock. Health shocks are associated with adverse economic consequences: they raise medical expenditure and reduce household consumption. The household responds with informal coping mechanism to smoothen consumption. The coping strategies are limited to household asset endowment and access to credit facility. This study examines the effect of health shock on changes in household consumption and investigates the coping strategies employed in the face of health shock.

Suggested Citation

  • Onisanwa Idowu Daniel & Olaniyan Olanrewaju, 2019. "Health shocks and consumption smoothing among rural households in Nigeria," Journal of Economics and Management, Sciendo, vol. 36(2), pages 44-70, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:vrs:jecman:v:36:y:2019:i:2:p:44-70:n:6
    DOI: 10.22367/jem.2019.36.03
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    health shocks; consumption smoothing; coping strategies; rural household;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I19 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Other
    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being

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