Authors:
Maika A, Mittinty MN, Brinkman S, Harper S, Satriawan E, Lynch JW
Authors notes:
PLoS ONE. 2013;8(10):e78809
Keywords:
Social inequalities, cognition, Indonesia, cognitive function, school attendance, education
Abstract:
Measuring social inequalities in health is common; however, research examining inequalities in child cognitive function is more limited.
We investigated household expenditure-related inequality in children's cognitive function in Indonesia in 2000 and 2007, the contributors to inequality in both time periods, and changes in the contributors to cognitive function inequalities between the periods.<
Expenditure inequality decreased by 45% from an RCI = 0.29 in 2000 to 0.16 in 2007 but the burden of poorer cognitive function was higher among the disadvantaged in both years.
The largest contributors to inequality in child cognitive function were inequalities in per capita expenditure, use of improved sanitation and maternal high school attendance.
Changes in maternal high school participation (27%), use of improved sanitation (25%) and per capita expenditures (18%) were largely responsible for the decreasing inequality in children's cognitive function between 2000 and 2007.
Government policy to increase basic education coverage for women along with economic growth may have influenced gains in children's cognitive function and reductions in inequalities in Indonesia.