Traditional Beliefs and Learning about Maternal Risk in Zambia
利用赞比亚男性和女性对孕产妇风险的认知数据，发现关于死亡原因的传统迷信普遍存在，且阻碍了人们学习孕产妇健康风险水平和相关因素。
Maternal mortality remains very high in many parts of the developing world, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. While maternal deaths are observable, it may not be straightforward for individuals to learn about risk factors. This paper utilizes novel data on male and female perceptions of maternal risk in Zambia to document that superstitions about causes of maternal mortality are pervasive and to uncover evidence that such beliefs impede learning about maternal health risk levels and correlates. In our data, people who hold traditional beliefs disregard past birth complications completely in assessing future risk, unlike those who hold modern beliefs.