Foetal loss and feminine sex ratios at birth in sub-Saharan Africa

Dados Bibliográficos

ID4268484
AutoresAnne Morse (Pennsylvania State University), Nancy Luke (0000-0001-6170-4982, Pennsylvania State University)
Ano2021
Volume75
Fascículo2
Páginas239-254
Data de publicação2021-05-04
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessNão
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoPopulation Studies (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0032-4728 • E-ISSN: 1477-4747
EditoraInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/00324728.2021.1877793
PMID33599566
OpenAlexW3131365258
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas7
Referências citadas74

A wealth of demographic research has explored the determinants of sex ratios at birth, but few studies have considered the role of foetal loss (spontaneous abortion), in producing feminine sex ratios. One challenge is measuring the occurrence of foetal loss, which is difficult to recognize and report in survey research. This study uses the length of the birth interval as a proxy for foetal loss; foetal loss restarts the clock on time to conception and lengthens the birth interval. We use Demographic and Health Survey data on second births to women in 17 sub-Saharan African countries. Results show that longer second birth intervals are significantly related to lower odds of a male second birth and to feminine sex ratios at birth. These findings suggest that high levels of foetal loss, which could signal underlying poor maternal health in a population, have dramatic effects on the sex ratio at birth

Abortion · Biology · Birth records · Birth weight · Confidence interval · Fertility · Live birth · Logistic regression · Obstetrics · Odds · Odds ratio · Population · Pregnancy · Sex ratio · Demographic Trends and Gender Preferences · Demography · Global Maternal and Child Health · Medicine · Migration and Labor Dynamics