Work

Religious differences in child vaccination rates in urban Africa: Comparison of population surveillance data from Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Year: 2013

Type: article

Abstract: Many studies have shown a significant relationship between religion and health in Western countries. In developing countries, however, there is a dearth of scientific studies on the matter. Using data from the Ouagadougou Health and Demographic Surveillance System, this paper examines religious differences in child vaccination rates in five districts of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. It tests the applicability of the selectivity hypothesis, which holds that religious differences in health come from underlying differences in the socioeconomic and demographic composition of religious communities. In our study population, even when socioeconomic and demographic characteristics are taken into account, an effect of religion on child vaccination rates was observed. This suggests that religious disparities in child vaccination rates are not solely due to the makeup of different religious communities, but also to ideological differences and/or to diffusion effects from interactions within religious groups. The religious differences demonstrated here suggest that a greater emphasis should be put on community-based approaches involving religious leaders when addressing health disparities.

Source: African Population Studies

DOI: 10.11564/27-2-439

Authors: Abdramane Soura, Gilles Pison, Leigh Senderowicz, Clémentine Rossier

Institutions: Université Joseph Ki-Zerbo, Institut national d'études démographiques

Language: English

Topic: Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy

Subfield: Health

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $250