Vulnerability and Reproductive Health Outcomes among Women in Sub-Saharan Africa

Temitope O. Adeyoju, eHealth Systems Africa and University of the Witwatersrand
Oluwaseyi Somefun, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
Boladé Hamed Banougnin, University of Ibadan

Natural hazards and conflicts have a debilitating effect on a range of demographic outcomes which may have implications on the economic development and human capital of countries. Drawing on the scarce literature linking climate conditions to reproductive health outcomes, we use Demographic and Health Survey data with detailed data on precipitation, temperature, and vegetation to explore changes in childbearing intentions, family planning use, and births following community-level climate shocks in 8 selected sub-Saharan African countries. This study argues exposure to hot temperatures above a particular threshold during pregnancy may lead to negative birth outcomes such as miscarriage or low birth weight. This effect may differ by socio-economic status and country. Results contribute to the environmental fertility literature by showing that longer duration environmental shocks can have impacts on fertility behaviors and outcomes albeit with contextual differences.