Intersectionality and Dependency Lenses in Neonatal Mortality: Evidence of Regional, Residential, and Socioeconomic Inequalities from Post-colonial Tanzania, 1991–2016

Abstract

While neonatal mortality is a critical measure of national health and well-being, efforts to reduce it in post-colonial, global south national contexts continue to yield unsatisfactory (sometimes worsening) odds of such events. This paper applies the intersectionality framework and dependency theory to time-based changes in neonatal mortality in Tanzania from 1991 to 2016 as a new model for understanding these persistent odds of neonatal mortality in the underdeveloped world. Analysis of data from the Tanzania Demographic Health Survey (from 1991 to 2016) discloses an unambiguous intersection between residence, region, and socioeconomic status in Tanzania. At the national level, neonatal mortality decreased slightly between 1991 and 2016. However, the likelihood of neonates dying increased during that time for women living in rural and unprivileged areas with lower socioeconomic status. An intersectionality framework and dependency theory contextualize these findings by considering structural elements within Tanzania from 1991 to 2016. This new model affords fresh insights, recommendations, and policy discussion for reducing neonatal mortality in Tanzania and other post-colonial, global south nations.