The Effect of Antimalarial Campaigns on Child Mortality and Fertility in Sub-Saharan Africa

Joshua Wilde, Bénédicte Apouey, Gabriel Picone () and Joseph Coleman
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Gabriel Picone: Department of Economics, University of South Florida

No 616, Working Papers from University of South Florida, Department of Economics

Abstract: We examine to what extent recent declines in mortality and fertility in sub-Saharan Africa can be attributed to insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs). Exploiting the rapid increase in ITNs during the mid-2000s, we employ a difference-in-differences estimation strategy to identify the causal effect of ITNs on mortality and fertility. We show that ITNs reduced all-cause child mortality, but surprisingly increased total fertility rates in spite of reduced desire for children and increased contraceptive use. We explain this paradox by showing evidence for an unexpected increase in fecundity and sexual activity due to the better health environment after the ITN distribution.

Keywords: Malaria; Bed nets; Child mortality; Fertility; Sub-Saharan Africa (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I15 J13 O10 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 61 pages
Date: 2017-06
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-dem, nep-dev and nep-hea
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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Related works:
Working Paper: The Effect of Antimalarial Campaigns on Child Mortality and Fertility in Sub-Saharan Africa (2020)
Working Paper: The effect of antimalarial campaigns on child mortality and fertility in sub-Saharan Africa (2019)
Working Paper: The Effect of Antimalarial Campaigns on Child Mortality and Fertility in Sub-Saharan Africa (2019)
Working Paper: The Effect of Antimalarial Campaigns on Child Mortality and Fertility in Sub-Saharan Africa (2019)
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