Islamic Law and Investments in Children : Evidence from the Sharia Introduction in Nigeria

Alfano, Marco (2022) Islamic Law and Investments in Children : Evidence from the Sharia Introduction in Nigeria. Journal of Health Economics, 85: 102660. ISSN 0167-6296

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Abstract

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.

Item Type:

Journal Article

Journal or Publication Title:

Journal of Health Economics

Additional Information:

This is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Journal of Health Economics. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Journal of Health Economics, 85, 102660, 2022 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhealeco.2022.102660

Uncontrolled Keywords:

/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/2700/2739

Subjects:

?? breastfeedinginfant survivalislamnigeriapublic health, environmental and occupational healthhealth policy ??

Departments:

Lancaster University Management School > Economics

ID Code:

174933

Deposited By:

ep_importer_pure

Deposited On:

23 Aug 2022 11:10

Refereed?:

Yes

Published?:

Published

Last Modified:

25 Mar 2024 00:40

URI:

https://eprints.lancs.ac.uk/id/eprint/174933