The "urban penalty" in adult mortality in Burkina Faso: in search of the evidence

Yempabou Bruno Lankoande, Université Catholique de Louvain et Institut Supérieur des Sciences de la Population (ISSP)

Considerable attention has been devoted to the emergence of an “urban penalty” in child health in Sub-Saharan Africa, but little is known on how adults living in urban areas far as compared to their rural counterparts. Urban living in developing countries is commonly associated with the spread of chronic diseases, mental disorders, injuries and AIDS that disproportionately affect adults. However, the lack of data hampers research on adult mortality differentials between urban and rural areas. Using Burkina Faso as a case study, this paper aims to establish a comprehensive, coherent and critical view on differences in adult mortality rates (45q15) according to urban/rural residence. The study covers approximately the period 1989 to 2006 and relies on indirect techniques. Estimates were derived from DHS data, census data and the EMUIB survey. Adults living in urban areas in Burkina still benefit from a health advantage compared with their rural counterparts.