Disparities in Child Health in the Arab Region During the 1990s
Author Information
Author(s): Khawaja Marwan, Dawns Jesse, Meyerson-Knox Sonya, Yamout Rouham
Primary Institution: Center for Research on Population and Health, American University of Beirut
Hypothesis
What was the extent of within-country disparities in child health in the region in the 1990s?
Conclusion
There are persistent socioeconomic disparities in child health in the Arab region that require attention from policymakers.
Supporting Evidence
- Child mortality rates were significantly higher in rural areas than urban areas.
- There was a consistent urban advantage shown in child nutritional status.
- The majority of countries showed a significant disadvantage of illiterate mothers compared to mothers with at least secondary education.
Takeaway
This study looked at how children's health varies in different Arab countries, showing that some kids are healthier than others based on where they live and how much money their families have.
Methodology
The study used data from national household surveys conducted in 18 Arab countries during the 1990s, analyzing child health indicators like mortality, nutritional status, and vaccination rates.
Potential Biases
Potential biases due to reliance on secondary data sources and lack of household-level analysis.
Limitations
Data gaps existed for some countries, and the reliability of estimates varied based on survey design.
Participant Demographics
Children under five years old from 18 Arab countries.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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