Department of Economics, Lancaster University and Centre for Research and Analysis of Migration, University College London, United kingdom.
J Health Econ. 2022 Sep;85:102660. doi: 10.1016/j.jhealeco.2022.102660. Epub 2022 Jul 21.
Islamic law lays down detailed rules regulating children's upbringing. This study examines the effect of such rules on investments in children by analysing the introduction of Sharia law in northern Nigeria. Triple-differences estimates using temporal, geographical and religious variation together with large, representative survey data show decreases in infant mortality. Official government statistics further confirm improvements in survival. Findings also show that Sharia increased vaccination rates, duration of breastfeeding and prenatal health care. Evidence suggests that Sharia improved survival by specifying strict child protection laws and by formalising children's duty to maintain their parents in old age or in sickness.
伊斯兰教法规定了详细的规则来规范儿童的养育。本研究通过分析尼日利亚北部伊斯兰教法的引入，考察了这些规则对儿童投资的影响。利用时间、地理和宗教变化的三重差分估计以及大型、代表性的调查数据表明，婴儿死亡率有所下降。官方政府统计数据进一步证实了存活率的提高。研究结果还表明，伊斯兰教法提高了疫苗接种率、母乳喂养时间和产前保健。有证据表明，伊斯兰教法通过规定严格的儿童保护法，并使儿童有义务在年老或患病时赡养父母，从而提高了生存率。
