Maternal education and child health outcomes in South Africa: A panel data analysis

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11 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This study empirically assesses the relationship between mothers’ education and child health using continuous and binary proxies of child health outcomes. A panel, using four waves of the National Income Dynamic Study and a battery of estimation techniques, was employed. The results suggest that maternal education plays a large and significant role in explaining child health outcomes in South Africa. Our results also suggest that maternal education is relevant in respect to stunted growth (stunting). However, the effects of maternal education vary along races, implying levels of inequality. The effects are stronger in the black and coloured populations, possibly due to educational deficits. This suggests a need in improving the educational opportunities for these groups. We suggest that maternal education can significantly contribute to reducing the high degree of inequality in South Africa.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)33-49
Number of pages17
JournalDevelopment Southern Africa
Volume36
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2 Jan 2019

Keywords

  • Maternal education
  • South Africa
  • child health
  • panel data

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geography, Planning and Development
  • Development

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