Violent Conflict and Breastfeeding: The Case of Iraq

Vidya Diwakar (), Michael Malcolm () and George Naufal
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Vidya Diwakar: Overseas Development Institute
Michael Malcolm: West Chester University of Pennsylvania

No 10937, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: This study explores the relationship between armed conflict and breastfeeding practices of Iraqi mothers. Using a unique pairing of the Iraq Body Count database, in conjunction with the 2006 and 2011 Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys for Iraq, we find that increases in conflict-related casualties are associated with a decline in breastfeeding incidence, with some mixed results on breastfeeding duration. We also explore a number of potential causal channels, including interactions with household wealth and accessibility of formula. The results are informative in the context of designing policy aimed at stabilizing the long-term health and productivity of populations in conflict areas.

Keywords: Middle East; breastfeeding; conflict; Iraq (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D74 I1 J13 J18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 41 pages
Date: 2017-08
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-ara
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Published - published in: Conflict and Health, 2019, 13, 61(2019)

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