How Transport Networks and Socio-Demographic Factors Influence Malaria Risk among Children: Evidence from Kenya

Chun Yee Wong () and Caren Miriel Oshome
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Chun Yee Wong: International University of Japan
Caren Miriel Oshome: International University of Japan

No EMS_2026_11, Working Papers from Research Institute, International University of Japan

Abstract: This study examines how transport networks and socio-demographic factors affect malaria infection rates among children in Kenya. An instrumental-variable complementary log-log model was employed to obtain robust estimates using 2020 Malaria Indicator Survey Data. Results indicate that each additional year of maternal education decreases malaria incidence in children by 0.40 percentage points. In areas with high road density, the likelihood of malaria increases by approximately 6.47 to 7.53 percentage points. However, heterogeneity analysis indicates that education reduces malaria risk by 0.57 percentage points in high-density areas. In rural areas, increased road density exacerbates malaria risk. Children in rural areas have an increased risk of about 10.6 percentage points in the third and fourth quartiles, while in urban areas, only children in the third quartile see a smaller increase of 3.27 percentage points. Thus, it is evident that investing in infrastructure may not lead to improved health outcomes unless women fs education and malaria control programs are also addressed. To effectively reduce the risk of malaria, it's essential to combine educational policies with public health strategies.

Keywords: Child Health; Malaria; Transport networks; Road Density; Maternal Education; Kenya (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 32 pages
Date: 2026-06
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-inv
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