African Studies Lunchtime Seminar: School Absenteeism in Northern Malawi

'School Absenteeism in Northern Malawi - trends, influences and the impact of cleaner burning biomass-fuelled cookstoves'

The penultimate Spring Term seminar in the UCL African Studies Lunchtime Seminar Series welcomes Christine Kelly, Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

Despite significant increases in school enrolment across sub-Saharan Africa, evidence suggests that barriers to regular attendance remain. This seminar will discuss ongoing research identifying the determinants of, and potential solutions for, primary school absenteeism in Karonga district, northern Malawi. Drawing on data from the Karonga Health and Demographic Surveillance System, Ms Kelly will explore the range of individual- and household-level factors associated with missing school, with particular focus on socio-economic determinants. Results suggest that, although participants attribute the majority of absences to ill health, students' domestic responsibilities and economic participation nevertheless play an important role. Against this backdrop, she will also introduce findings from the Cooking and Pneumonia Study, the largest trial of cleaner burning biomass-fuelled cookstoves conducted to date, to assess the extent to which the anticipated health and economic gains conferred by the cookstoves translate into improved school attendance.

The seminars will be held every other Thursday during term time from 12.30 to 2 pm in IAS Seminar Room 20 on the first floor of South Wing.

This new series is convened by the African Studies Research Centre and the Institute of Advanced Studies:

• Dr Matt Davies
• Dr Hélène Neveu Kringelbach
• Professor Megan Vaughan

Download the poster here.

All welcome.