Environmental exposure and maternal mortality in selected African countries

Abstract

Improving maternal health is a top priority amongst other global public health issues, hence leading to the well-established literature on the factors determining maternal mortality. However, empirical evidence on the linkage between maternal mortality and environmental exposure is poorly understood in the literature. Therefore, this study seeks to contribute to the literature on the determining factors of maternal mortality by examining its linkage to environmental exposures in selected African countries. The study covers 25 selected African countries for the period between 2000 and 2016. Using the Panel Corrected Standard Error (PCSE), the study establishes inter alia: first, environmental exposures significantly aggravate maternal mortality in Africa. Second, Adolescent fertility, and access to at least one basic amenity increase mortality rates in the continent where current expenditure per capita reduces the prevalence of maternal deaths. Third, renewable energy and electricity consumption significantly reduces maternal mortality in selected African countries. Fourth, income per capita and inflationary levels are however not significant determinants of maternal mortality. The findings have a strong implication for maternal health policy in Africa. The study recommends that intensive efforts should be directed into the reduction of environmental exposures and also seek actionable ways to discourage early exposure to childbirth.