Students
Marion Perrot
Université de Montreal
École de santé publique - Département de gestion, d’évaluation et de politique de santé
Program:
Doctorate
Supervisor:
Olivier Jacques
Start:
2023
End:
2028
Project
Title: Understanding inequalities in early childhood development in low- and middle-income countries: a mixed-methods study
All children should have equal opportunities, be healthy, and be able to develop their learning abilities. This right is enshrined in the 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child. Unfortunately, in 2016, more than 40% of children under the age of 5 in low- and middle-income countries were unable to reach their full potential. However, the optimal development of children is crucial for the future and stability of societies, as they will become the adults of tomorrow.
Early childhood (ages 0-8) is a crucial period where early life experiences shape children's brain development, learning abilities, and health. UNICEF created the concept of Early Childhood Development (ECD) to refer to the physical, cognitive, motor, linguistic, social, and emotional development of children from birth to age 8. ECD depends on many factors, called determinants: immediate determinants (child nutrition, cognitive stimulation through play, access to health care, such as vaccinations), underlying determinants (policies designed to promote and support families so they can access and provide all these services to their children), and enabling determinants (the country has sufficient resources and an effective government to implement these policies).
Measuring ECD is complex because it is a multidimensional concept. Every year, UNICEF conducts MICS surveys to assess ECD levels and its determinants in low- and middle-income countries. However, without analyzing the interaction between these three levels of determinants, it is difficult to understand why ECD inequalities persist worldwide. Understanding these issues will improve the effectiveness of policy and health interventions.
No study has yet addressed this gap. This research aims to measure and statistically analyze these three levels of determinants and their influences on ECD in 83 low- and middle-income countries. To do this, I will use UNICEF MICS data and national data from the World Bank. I will then analyze the data using multilevel statistical methods and study the case of Côte d'Ivoire, a French-speaking African country with a rate of children aged 0-5 years on track for development close to the African average. This will enrich and illustrate the numerical results from phase 1 of my research and allow me to collaborate with local political stakeholders. The case study will deepen the perspectives of key informants on ECD in the Ivorian context.
My research contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals and informs policy decision-making on ECD. The results will help better target children at risk of low ECD and improve the effectiveness of existing ECD programs, so that no child is left behind.
Supervisors: Prof. Mira Johri
Co-supervisor: Prof. Olivier Jacques
Early childhood (ages 0-8) is a crucial period where early life experiences shape children's brain development, learning abilities, and health. UNICEF created the concept of Early Childhood Development (ECD) to refer to the physical, cognitive, motor, linguistic, social, and emotional development of children from birth to age 8. ECD depends on many factors, called determinants: immediate determinants (child nutrition, cognitive stimulation through play, access to health care, such as vaccinations), underlying determinants (policies designed to promote and support families so they can access and provide all these services to their children), and enabling determinants (the country has sufficient resources and an effective government to implement these policies).
Measuring ECD is complex because it is a multidimensional concept. Every year, UNICEF conducts MICS surveys to assess ECD levels and its determinants in low- and middle-income countries. However, without analyzing the interaction between these three levels of determinants, it is difficult to understand why ECD inequalities persist worldwide. Understanding these issues will improve the effectiveness of policy and health interventions.
No study has yet addressed this gap. This research aims to measure and statistically analyze these three levels of determinants and their influences on ECD in 83 low- and middle-income countries. To do this, I will use UNICEF MICS data and national data from the World Bank. I will then analyze the data using multilevel statistical methods and study the case of Côte d'Ivoire, a French-speaking African country with a rate of children aged 0-5 years on track for development close to the African average. This will enrich and illustrate the numerical results from phase 1 of my research and allow me to collaborate with local political stakeholders. The case study will deepen the perspectives of key informants on ECD in the Ivorian context.
My research contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals and informs policy decision-making on ECD. The results will help better target children at risk of low ECD and improve the effectiveness of existing ECD programs, so that no child is left behind.
Supervisors: Prof. Mira Johri
Co-supervisor: Prof. Olivier Jacques
Research Interests