2015
IWISH 2015 Proceeding
Agent-based modelling for rethinking the socioeconomic determinants of child health in sub-saharan africa
Authors: Carine Van Malderen, Hedwig Deconinck, Niko Speybroeck, Jean-Christophe Chiem
Abstract
Socioeconomic factors play distal roles in shaping populations? health. In sub-Saharan Africa, these structural health determinants are strongly associated with intermediate determinants of under-5 mortality such as lifestyle factors, health seeking behaviour, or exposure to a health threat. The aim of the study was to use simulation tools for rethinking the dynamics between socioeconomic factors, preventive health measures, and child health. An agent-based model was developed, consisting of rules and equations based on data from four Demographic and Health Surveys conducted in sub-Saharan countries. The model, visualizing the impact of different factors and complex effects, enhanced the understanding and debate on causal pathways of socioeconomic inequalities in under- 5 mortality.
I3M Scientific Sponsors
I3M Industrial Sponsors
I3M Media Sponsors
