When Connectivity Reaches Care: Internet Diffusion, Rural Inequality and Maternal Healthcare in Sub-Saharan Africa
(2026) EKHS42 20261Department of Economic History
- Abstract
- Despite rapid improvements in digital connectivity across Sub-Saharan Africa, little is known about whether broader internet diffusion influences maternal healthcare behavior outside targeted digital health interventions. This thesis examines whether internet diffusion is associated with maternal healthcare utilization, and whether these associations differ between urban and rural populations. Using individual birth histories from the Demographic and Health Surveys combined with country-level indicators of internet diffusion, submarine cable connectivity and macroeconomic development across twelve Sub-Saharan African countries, the study applies fixed-effects regression models, heterogeneity analyses and robustness checks. The results show... (More)
- Despite rapid improvements in digital connectivity across Sub-Saharan Africa, little is known about whether broader internet diffusion influences maternal healthcare behavior outside targeted digital health interventions. This thesis examines whether internet diffusion is associated with maternal healthcare utilization, and whether these associations differ between urban and rural populations. Using individual birth histories from the Demographic and Health Surveys combined with country-level indicators of internet diffusion, submarine cable connectivity and macroeconomic development across twelve Sub-Saharan African countries, the study applies fixed-effects regression models, heterogeneity analyses and robustness checks. The results show that higher internet diffusion is positively associated with maternal healthcare utilization, particularly facility-based delivery. These associations are strongest among rural women, suggesting that digital connectivity may be especially relevant in settings where informational barriers are greater. Evidence for antenatal care is less consistent, and no meaningful association is found for infant mortality. The findings highlight the potential role of digital infrastructure in supporting more inclusive healthcare access and development. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
https://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9233515
- author
- Bluemink, Laura Gerda LU
- supervisor
- organization
- course
- EKHS42 20261
- year
- 2026
- type
- H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
- subject
- keywords
- Internet diffusion, Maternal healthcare, Sub-Saharan Africa, Digital infrastructure, Urban-rural inequalities
- language
- English
- id
- 9233515
- date added to LUP
- 2026-09-07 13:58:38
- date last changed
- 2026-09-07 13:58:38
@misc{9233515,
abstract = {{Despite rapid improvements in digital connectivity across Sub-Saharan Africa, little is known about whether broader internet diffusion influences maternal healthcare behavior outside targeted digital health interventions. This thesis examines whether internet diffusion is associated with maternal healthcare utilization, and whether these associations differ between urban and rural populations. Using individual birth histories from the Demographic and Health Surveys combined with country-level indicators of internet diffusion, submarine cable connectivity and macroeconomic development across twelve Sub-Saharan African countries, the study applies fixed-effects regression models, heterogeneity analyses and robustness checks. The results show that higher internet diffusion is positively associated with maternal healthcare utilization, particularly facility-based delivery. These associations are strongest among rural women, suggesting that digital connectivity may be especially relevant in settings where informational barriers are greater. Evidence for antenatal care is less consistent, and no meaningful association is found for infant mortality. The findings highlight the potential role of digital infrastructure in supporting more inclusive healthcare access and development.}},
author = {{Bluemink, Laura Gerda}},
language = {{eng}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
title = {{When Connectivity Reaches Care: Internet Diffusion, Rural Inequality and Maternal Healthcare in Sub-Saharan Africa}},
year = {{2026}},
}