Spatial Modelling of Childhood Indicators and Deprivation in Namibia

Socio-economic disadvantage (SED) is an established risk factor or effect modifier of child health status. Motivated by concerns of addressing health inequalities and social justice, this paper examined the place-specific association of SED with child health in Namibia. We explored this aspect by generating two local indicators of SED: material and earnings deprivation, and used a space-varying coefficients model, to estimate their effects on three child health outcomes (i.e., low birthweight, stunting and under-five mortality) in Namibia. Our findings, not only confirm that children from extremely disadvantaged households were more likely to be of low birthweight, stunted or die in the first 5 years of life, but also demonstrated the spatial varying association of SED with health. Results provide empirical evidence for designing interventions and policies that are targeted and focal.