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

IF 2 3区经济学 Q2 DEVELOPMENT STUDIES Development Policy Review Pub Date : 2024-03-25 DOI:10.1111/dpr.12771

Mark Bigool

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引用次数: 0

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.

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免费孕产妇保健对五岁以下儿童发育迟缓的影响：加纳的证据

解决儿童早期发育迟缓问题可对个人成年后的健康、生产力和福祉产生持久影响。通过了解孕产妇医疗保健政策与发育迟缓之间的关系，政策制定者可以设计干预措施，促进社会更加健康、更有生产力。本研究调查了为孕妇提供免费医疗保健对儿童发育迟缓的影响，文章使用了双重稳健差分估算器，并参考了加纳人口与健康调查。有证据表明，改革可能通过孕期产前护理和分娩护理对 5 岁以下儿童产生了影响。保健专业人员在产前护理和分娩期间提供的协助明显改善。孕产妇保健投资对儿童从子宫内到五岁生日的健康产生了巨大的好处。应继续免收孕产妇费用，以保持并进一步减少儿童发育迟缓。政府应优先改善优质孕产妇保健服务，包括产前检查、熟练助产护理和产科急诊。

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来源期刊

Development Policy Review DEVELOPMENT STUDIES-

CiteScore

3.50

自引率

5.90%

发文量

期刊介绍： Development Policy Review is the refereed journal that makes the crucial links between research and policy in international development. Edited by staff of the Overseas Development Institute, the London-based think-tank on international development and humanitarian issues, it publishes single articles and theme issues on topics at the forefront of current development policy debate. Coverage includes the latest thinking and research on poverty-reduction strategies, inequality and social exclusion, property rights and sustainable livelihoods, globalisation in trade and finance, and the reform of global governance. Informed, rigorous, multi-disciplinary and up-to-the-minute, DPR is an indispensable tool for development researchers and practitioners alike.