Publication Date

2025

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Xia, Michelle

Degree Name

M.S. (Master of Science)

Legacy Department

Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science

Abstract

This study utilizes two mixed-effects models to examine the effect of Universal Health Coverage on Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) in 30 countries of Sub-Saharan Africa from 2000-2019 while addressing the missing data in health indicators. Using natural cubic spline interpolation, I impute the missing values in the health coverage indices to preserve the location- specific trends of the data. Findings indicate that among the health Coverage indices, only Index1, which directly relates to coverage of maternal, newborn and child health services is significantly associated with reduced NMR. While higher Current Health Expenditure is associated with reduced NMR, a higher share of household Out-of-pocket payments is associated with worse outcomes. However, Domestic Government Health Expenditure as a proportion of Current Health Expenditure is unexpectedly associated with a higher NMR suggesting potential ineffectiveness in public health spending. These findings emphasize the need for strategic health financing towards maternal and neonatal care while ensuring financial protection for the vulnerable populations.

Extent

47 pages

Language

en

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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