Religious Differences in Child Vaccination Rates in Urban Africa: Comparison of Population Surveillance Data from Ouagadougou; Burkina Faso
Afr. pop.stud
; 27(2): 174-187, 2013.
Article
in English
| AIM
| ID: biblio-1258237
Responsible library:
CG1.1
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
Full text:
Available
Index:
AIM (Africa)
Main subject:
Religion
/
Urban Population
/
Population Surveillance
/
Vaccination
Type of study:
Screening study
Language:
English
Journal:
Afr. pop.stud
Year:
2013
Type:
Article
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