The Mortality of Premarital Births

• In Event: 40861 - Section on Sociology of Population Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (60 minute): Table 5: Health and Mortality

Abstract

Sub-Saharan Africa still bears the highest rates of child mortality worldwide. Premarital fertility is widespread across sub-Saharan Africa and may have critical implications for children’s wellbeing. We use data from 27 African countries in the Demographic and Health Surveys program to examine the relationship between out-of-wedlock births and under five mortality rates. We then examine whether the relationship varies according to the sex of the child. Results from the survival curves and multilevel models show that premarital children are more likely to die before their fifth birthday than children born in marriage. We show that children’s place of residence (urban/rural) and their household wealth are salient factors driving the observed patterns of under-five mortality rate. Finally, out-of-wedlock male children have the highest risks of dying compared to the peers in other category—a finding that is indicative of discrimination and exclusion. This study provides new insights into the mortality implications of premarital births across sub-Saharan Africa.

Authors

• Maurice Anyawie, University of Chicago

• Michel Guillot, University of Pennsylvania