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  4. May 2017
  5. Traditional Beliefs and Learning about Maternal Risk in Zambia

Traditional Beliefs and Learning about Maternal Risk in Zambia

  • Nava Ashraf
  • Erica Field
  • Giuditta Rusconi
  • Alessandra Voena
  • Roberta Ziparo
American Economic Review
vol. 107, no. 5, May 2017
(pp. 511-15)
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Abstract

Maternal mortality remains very high in many parts of the developing world, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. While maternal deaths are observable, it may not be straightforward for individuals to learn about risk factors. This paper utilizes novel data on male and female perceptions of maternal risk in Zambia to document that superstitions about causes of maternal mortality are pervasive and to uncover evidence that such beliefs impede learning about maternal health risk levels and correlates. In our data, people who hold traditional beliefs disregard past birth complications completely in assessing future risk, unlike those who hold modern beliefs.

Citation

Ashraf, Nava, Erica Field, Giuditta Rusconi, Alessandra Voena, and Roberta Ziparo. 2017. "Traditional Beliefs and Learning about Maternal Risk in Zambia." American Economic Review, 107 (5): 511-15. DOI: 10.1257/aer.p20171106

Additional Materials

JEL Classification

  • I11 Analysis of Health Care Markets
  • I12 Health Behavior
  • I14 Health and Inequality
  • I18 Health: Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
  • J13 Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
  • J16 Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
  • O15 Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration