Impact of Terrorist Violence on Child Health in Burkina Faso: Unpacking Potential Mechanisms

Relwendé Apollinaire Nikiema and Wendata A. Kafando

Sustainable Development, 2025, vol. 33, issue S1, 1292-1309

Abstract: Understanding the mechanisms linking violent conflict to child health is critical for designing effective policies to improve the human capital outcomes of affected children, as current knowledge remains limited despite extensive research. This study investigates the effects of terrorist violence on child health in Burkina Faso, combining geolocated demographic and health survey data with information on the timing and location of terrorist attacks. By exploiting geospatial and temporal variations across birth cohorts, we measure children's exposure to terrorist violence and its impact on health outcomes. Our findings reveal that children under five in exposed clusters experience significant health setbacks compared to those in non‐exposed areas. The analysis identifies food shortages, rising food prices, and limited access to health services as key mechanisms driving these adverse effects. These results underscore the importance of addressing these pathways to mitigate the human capital consequences of violent conflict and inform sustainable development policies.

Date: 2025
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https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.70066

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:wly:sustdv:v:33:y:2025:i:s1:p:1292-1309

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