Spatial modelling of the relationship between socio-economic disadvantage and child health in Namibia

Lawrence Kazembe, University of Namibia

Socio-economic disadvantage (SED) is an established risk factor or effect modifier of child health status. Motivated by concerns of addressing health inequalities and social justice, this paper examined the place-specific association of SED with child health in Namibia. We explored this aspect by generating two local indicators of SED: material and earnings deprivation, and used a space-varying coefficients model, to estimate their effects on three child health outcomes (i.e. low birthweight, stunting and under-five mortality) in Namibia. Our findings, not only confirm that children from extremely disadvantaged households were more likely to be of low birthweight, stunted or die in the first five years of life, but also demonstrated the spatial varying association of SED and health. Results provide empirical evidence for designing interventions and policies that are targeted and focal.