Social vulnerability and infant mortality in space dimension: an investigation of the world’s most underdeveloped West Africa coastal area

Abstract

Purpose The West Africa coastal area faced with the serious health challenge is the most underdeveloped place. Through making the visualized spatial analysis of this area, this study aims to identify which factor of social vulnerability predominantly affects infant mortality. Design/methodology/approach This study uses the spatial data available from NASA-affiliated institution and a geographic information system for analysis. Findings This study reveals that the Poverty and Adaptive Capacity Index, as economic aspect of social vulnerability, is spatially correlated with the infant mortality rate, whereas the Population Exposure Index, as population aspect of social vulnerability, does not. Thus, the economic rather than population factor is probably the driving force of high infant mortality. Originality/value This study clarifies the determinant of infant mortality in the West Africa coastal area in space dimension.