Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
955752 Social Science Research 2015 15 Pages PDF
Abstract

•We examine effect African Development Bank structural adjustment on infant mortality.•Adjustment associated with higher maternal mortality.•No impact of selection bias.

We conduct a cross-national analysis to test the hypothesis that African Development Bank (AfDB) structural adjustment lending adversely impacts maternal mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa. We analyze data for thirty-five Sub-Saharan African nations with up to four time points (1990, 1995, 2000, and 2005) with generalized least squares random effects regression models and modified two-step Heckman models that correct for potential endogeneity regarding whether or not a Sub-Saharan African nations receives an AfDB structural adjustment loan. We find support for our hypothesis that indicates that Sub-Saharan African nations that receive an AfDB structural adjustment loan tend to have higher levels of maternal mortality than Sub-Saharan African nations that do not receive such a loan. This finding remains stable even when controlling for endogeneity. We conclude by talking about the theoretical and methodological implications along with possible directions for future research.

Related Topics
Social Sciences and Humanities Psychology Social Psychology
Authors
, , ,