Effects of Reproductive Health on Poverty in Malawi, 2008-2010

UKDA study number:6996

Principal Investigators

Institute for Fiscal Studies
MaiMwana Project

Sponsor

Economic and Social Research Council

Distributed by

UK Data Archive, University of Essex, Colchester.

July 2012

Bibliographic Citation

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Institute for Fiscal Studies and MaiMwana Project, Effects of Reproductive Health on Poverty in Malawi, 2008-2010 [computer file]. Colchester, Essex: UK Data Archive [distributor], July 2012. SN: 6996.

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Copyright:
Institute for Fiscal Studies

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6996 . Effects of Reproductive Health on Poverty in Malawi, 2008-2010
(MaiMwana-IFS Economic Survey)

Depositor:

Vera-Hernandez, M. , Institute for Fiscal Studies

Principal Investigators:

Institute for Fiscal Studies

MaiMwana Project

Sponsor:

Economic and Social Research Council
Grant Number: RES-183-25-0008

Other Acknowledgements:

Julia Behrman - Research Assistant, Wave 1 Data Collection;
Trained survey staff: Andrew Mganga - Wave 1 Field Survey Co-ordinator; Nicholas Mbwana - Wave 1 Field Supervisor; Wave 2 Field Survey Co-ordinator; Christopher Kamphinga - Field Supervisor, Wave 1 and 2;
Tambosi Phiri, Sonia Lewycka, Mikey Rosato, Florida Banda and Hilda Chapota from MaiMwana provided useful advice and guidance in designing the questionnaire and planning field activities.

Abstract:

This research aimed to investigate the causal effect of reproductive health on poverty, primarily using data from Malawi on randomised interventions that relate specifically to reproductive health. The following poverty indicators were included: household consumption, female labour supply, and health and education of children.

The following research hypotheses were tested:

• pregnancy related mortality and morbidity reduce investment in children's human capital;
• breastfeeding improves infant health but may reduce female labour supply and either increase or decrease household consumption;
• parental HIV-infection reduces child schooling but may reduce or increase child work. As a consequence Volunteering Counselling and Testing might also increase schooling and affect child work;
• collectively-generated information about reproductive health increases contraceptive use by women.

The data included in the UK Data Archive study are from two waves of a longitudinal household survey of women of child-bearing age in Mchinji District, Malawi. Further information may be found on the ESRC Effects of Reproductive Health on Poverty in Malawi award webpage and the MaiMwana Project website.

For details on the interventions and experimental design, users are advised to obtain the following article:
Lewycka, S., Mwansambo, C., Kazembe, P., Phiri, T., Mganga, A., Rosato, M. and Chapota, H. (2010) 'A cluster randomised controlled trial of the community effectiveness of two interventions in rural Malawi to improve health care and to reduce maternal, newborn and infant mortality', Trials, 11(1), p.88.

For further details on survey methodology, users are advised to obtain the following publication:
Fitzsimons, E., Malde, B., Mesnard, A. and Vera-Hernandez, M. (2012) Household responses to information on child nutrition: experimental evidence from Malawi, Institute for Fiscal Studies Working Paper W12/07, IFS: London.

Main Topics:

The surveys covered household information and demographics, families, educational background, employment and income-generating activity, health and morbidity, household consumption (food and non-food), household assets, savings, other forms of financial support, adverse events the household has suffered over the previous 12 months (e.g. bereavements, crime), financial transfers (loans, grants, gifts), family planning, obstetrics, knowledge of birth-related health measures, family networks, social contact with/advice from with family and friends, advice from health professionals. Anthropometric measurements (height and weight) of children under 6 years old in the household were also taken.

Coverage:

Dates of Fieldwork: 2008 - 2010
Country: Malawi
Spatial Units: Traditional Authority (Malawi)
Observation Units: Individuals; Families/households
Kind of Data: Numeric data; Individual (micro) level

Universe Sampled:

Location of Units of Observation: Subnational
Population: Women of child-bearing age in selected areas of Mchinji District, Malawi and their households.

Methodology:

Time Dimensions: Longitudinal/panel/cohort
Sampling Procedures: One-stage cluster sample
Method of Data Collection: Face-to-face interview
Weighting: No weighting used

Language(s) of Written Materials:

Study Description: English
Study Documentation: English

Access:

Access Conditions: The depositor has specified that registration is required and standard conditions of use apply. The depositor may be informed about usage. See terms and conditions for further information.
Availability: ESDS International, UK Data Archive
Contact: Help desk: international@esds.ac.uk

Date of First Release:

12 July 2012

Copyright:

Institute for Fiscal Studies

File last updated:

27 November 2012