Islamic law and investments in children: Evidence from the Sharia introduction in Nigeria.

Publisher: Elsevier North Holland Country of Publication: Netherlands NLM ID: 8410622 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1879-1646 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 01676296 NLM ISO Abbreviation: J Health Econ

Publication: Amsterdam : Elsevier North Holland
Original Publication: Amsterdam, The Netherlands : North-Holland, c1982-

Breast Feeding*/psychology ; Breast Feeding*/statistics & numerical data ; Islam*/psychology ; Parturition*/psychology; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Infant Mortality ; Nigeria/epidemiology ; Infant, Newborn ; Vaccination/psychology ; Vaccination/statistics & numerical data

Islamic law lays down detailed rules regulating children's upbringing. This study examines the effect of such rules on investments in children by analysing the introduction of Sharia law in northern Nigeria. Triple-differences estimates using temporal, geographical and religious variation together with large, representative survey data show decreases in infant mortality. Official government statistics further confirm improvements in survival. Findings also show that Sharia increased vaccination rates, duration of breastfeeding and prenatal health care. Evidence suggests that Sharia improved survival by specifying strict child protection laws and by formalising children's duty to maintain their parents in old age or in sickness.
(Copyright © 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Keywords: Breastfeeding; Infant Survival; Islam; Nigeria

Date Created: 20220804 Date Completed: 20220914 Latest Revision: 20240229

20240301

10.1016/j.jhealeco.2022.102660

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