The Impact of Maternal Education on Late Childhood and Early Adolescent Mortality in 56 Countries: A Pooled Survival Analysis of Demographic and Health Survey Data, 2003–2016

Hunter York
Emmanuela Gakidou, University of Washington, Seattle

Health during late childhood through early adolescence (here defined as ages 5-14) is an often-neglected topic in discussions on global health. As health during this period is critical to the accumulation of the capital necessary to be a contributing citizen to nations’ economies, it is crucial that the drivers of health during youth and adolescence not be overlooked. This study used pooled complete birth histories data from 103 Demographic and Health Surveys for 56 countries conducted between 2003 and 2016 to analyze the impact of community and household factors on 5-14 survival. Despite the increase in independence that occurs throughout childhood and adolescence, adolescent health outcomes are still influenced by parental characteristics, with maternal education remaining the most important predictor. The primary causes of death for these ages are amenable to behavioral changes likely influenced by maternal literacy and education.

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 Presented in Session 198. Determinants of Adolescent Mortality