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Traditional Beliefs and Learning about Maternal Risk in Zambia

Nava Ashraf¹; Erica Field²; Giuditta Rusconi²; Alessandra Voena³; Roberta Ziparo^4,5,6,7

¹ London School of Economics and Political Science · ² Duke University · ³ University of Chicago · ⁴ Aix-Marseille Université · ⁵ Groupement de Recherche en Économie Quantitative d’Aix-Marseille · ⁶ Centrale Marseille · ⁷ École des hautes études en sciences sociales

Maternal mortality remains very high in many parts of the developing world, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. While maternal deaths are observable, it may not be straightforward for individuals to learn about risk factors. This paper utilizes novel data on male and female perceptions of maternal risk in Zambia to document that superstitions about causes of maternal mortality are pervasive and to uncover evidence that such beliefs impede learning about maternal health risk levels and correlates. In our data, people who hold traditional beliefs disregard past birth complications completely in assessing future risk, unlike those who hold modern beliefs.

DOI

10.1257/aer.p20171106

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