PER CAPITA INCOME, PUBLIC HEALTH EXPENDITURE, MATERNAL CARE UTILIZATION AND THEIR EFFECTS ON INFANT MORTALITY RATE IN KENYA
Abstract
Purpose of the Study: The study aimed to determine the effects of per capita income, public health expenditure, and maternal care utilization on the infant mortality rate in Kenya.
Problem Statement: Despite significant strides in reducing the infant mortality rate, many families in Kenya still face challenges in accessing high-quality medical care due to factors such as distance to healthcare facilities, lack of transportation, and poverty.
Methodology: The research utilized time series data from the World Bank database spanning from 1991 to 2020. The Autoregressive Distributed Lag Model (ARDL) is estimated using the STATA software tool. The Grossman Health Capital Model is applied in the study. Key components include the dependent variable (infant mortality rate) and factors such as public health spending, per capita income, and maternal care utilization. The mother’s educational level serves as the control variable.
Results: Contrary to other studies, this research finds no correlation between maternal care utilization (i.e., births attended by trained medical professionals and pregnant women who utilize prenatal care) and infant mortality. However, public health expenditure and per capita income show statistically significant positive effects on infant mortality rates, diverging from existing literature.
Conclusion and Policy Recommendation: Policies aimed at improving the efficiency of public health spending and the distribution of per capita income, while addressing barriers to maternal care access, are essential for achieving faster reductions in infant mortality in Kenya.
Keywords: Per Capita Income, Public Health Expenditure, Maternal Care Utilization, Infant Mortality Rate
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