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Does Ramadan Harm Infant Health? : Evidence from Ethiopia

초록/요약

This study examines the impact of religious practices on human capital in the context of Ethiopia. We focus on Ramadan, one of the central tenets of Islam, which leads mothers to reducing nutritional intakes during the daytime. We examine the extent to which exposure to Ramadan in utero affects mortality of Muslim infants. To estimate the causal impact, we exploit the time variation in the Ramadan due to the rotating Islamic calendar and child’s conception month. We find that the exposure to Ramadan in the first trimester has a significant negative effect on the child’s chances of survival within three months and within a year after birth. This negative effect is particularly severe among the less educated mothers and those residing in rural areas.

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