Demand for Vaccination in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Vertical Legacy of the Slave Trade

Social Science & Medicine • Vol/Iss. 293 • Elsevier • Amsterdam • Published In • Pages: 1-10 •
By Athias, Laure, Macina, Mouda

Abstract

The authors of this study integrate recent data with data on ancestral ethnic groups' exposure to the slave trade in order to examine the relationship between this historical exposure and children vaccination status against measles. They find evidence to support their hypothesis that children from mothers whose ancestors belonged to an ethnic group that exported slaves are less likely to be vaccinated against measles, theorizing that this correlation stems from distrust in medical and governmental institutions. Supporting this theory, they also find that groups historically exposed to the slave trade that have higher preference for traditional practices are even less likely to vaccinate their children against measles.

Samples

Sample Used Coded Data Comment
Ethnographic Atlas (EA)Other researchersEthnic group matching and controls
Afrobarometer SurveyOther researchersNunn and Wantchekon (2011)
Demographic and Health SurveysOther researchers2010-2014
Transatlantic Slave Trade DatabaseOther researchersMatched to Afrobarometer surveys by Nunn and Wantchekon 2011

Hypotheses (6)

HypothesisSupported
Children's vaccination rate against measles will be negatively correlated with maternal ancestral ethnic group exposure to the slave trade.Supported
Usage of insecticide-treated bed nets will not be correlated with maternal ancestral ethnic group exposure to the slave trade.Supported
Consenting to a blood test for anemia will be negatively correlated with maternal ancestral ethnic group exposure to the slave trade.Supported
Children's vaccination rate against measles will be negatively correlated with maternal ancestral ethnic group exposure to the slave trade and preference for traditional religious practices.Supported
Children's vaccination rate for measles will be negatively correlated with maternal ancestral ethnic group exposure to the slave trade and precolonial type of political succession.Not supported
Children's vaccination rate for measles will be negatively correlated with maternal ancestral ethnic group exposure to the slave trade and matrilineal inheritance.Supported
Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: anj.droe