Implication of Natal Care and Maternity Leave on Child Morbidity: Evidence from Ghana

TL;DR

This study examines how natal care and maternity leave policies in Ghana influence child health, revealing that lack of post-natal care and unpaid maternity leave significantly increase the risk of respiratory infections in children under five.

Contribution

It provides empirical evidence linking maternity leave policies and post-natal care to child morbidity outcomes in Ghana.

Findings

Failure to receive post-natal care increases ARI risk by 3%.

Unpaid maternity leave raises ARI risk by 3.9%.

Paid maternity leave mitigates child health risks.

Abstract

Failure to receive post-natal care within first week of delivery causes a 3% increase in the possibility of Acute Respiratory Infection in children under five. Mothers with unpaid maternity leave put their children at a risk of 3.9% increase in the possibility of ARI compared to those with paid maternity leave.