Inequalities and trends in under-five mortality between formal and informal settlements in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Bruno Lankoandé, Joseph Ki-Zerbo University (UJKZ)
Yacouba Y. C. Compaoré, Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain)
Kassoum Dianou, Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL) - Centre for demographic research
Souleymane Sanogo, University of Geneva, Institute of demography and Socioeconomics
Abdramane Soura, Université de Ouagadougou
Abdoulaye Maïga, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Agbessi Amouzou, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

This research tests the convergence of under-five mortality levels between formal and informal neighbourhoods in the city of Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) against a background of various social policies such as free health care policy implemented in the recent years. Data used come from mortality data collected prospectively in the Ouagadougou HDSSS over the period 2010-2018. The analysis is based on the calculation of all-cause and cause mortality rates and a Poisson regression model. Overall, children in formal neighbourhoods enjoy a health advantage compared to those in informal neighbourhoods. However, these inequalities have decreased over time, especially at the end of the period (2016-2018), due to a more sustained decline in mortality from malaria and respiratory infections in informal settlements. The pursuit of upgrading of informal settlements and the implementation of social policies targeting the poorest is likely to accelerate the mortality transition at the scale of the city.