Effects of free maternal healthcare on stunting in children under five years of age: Evidence from Ghana

Mark Bigool

Development Policy Review, 2024, vol. 42, issue 4

Abstract: Motivation Addressing stunting in early childhood can have lasting effects on an individual's health, productivity, and well‐being in adulthood. By understanding the relationship between maternal healthcare policies and stunting, policy‐makers can design interventions that contribute to a healthier and more productive society. Purpose This study investigated the effect of providing free healthcare to pregnant mothers on child stunting. Approach and method The article uses doubly robust difference‐in‐difference estimator, drawing on Ghana Demographic and Health Survey. Findings Free healthcare to mothers reduced stunting in the treatment regions by 12.3%. Evidence suggests the reform may have influenced children under the age of five through antenatal and delivery care attendance during pregnancy. Assistance during antenatal care and childbirth by health professionals improved significantly. Policy implications Maternal health investment yields great health benefits for children from in utero to their fifth birthday. Maternal fee exemptions should be continued to maintain and further improve stunting reduction in children. Government should prioritize improving access to quality maternal healthcare services, including antenatal and skilled birth attendance and emergency obstetric care.

Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://doi.org/10.1111/dpr.12771

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:bla:devpol:v:42:y:2024:i:4:n:e12771

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
http://www.blackwell ... bs.asp?ref=0950-6764

Access Statistics for this article

Development Policy Review is currently edited by David Booth

More articles in Development Policy Review from Overseas Development Institute Contact information at EDIRC.
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Wiley Content Delivery ().