The Impact of Hurricane Matthew on School Attendance: An Analysis from Rural Haiti.

Amanda Cook,Donovan Beachy

doi:10.3390/ijerph16010055

Amanda Cook, Donovan Beachy

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16010055

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Abstract

This study identifies the impact of Hurricane Matthew on school attendance in an agricultural community in rural Haiti. We conducted a survey of parents whose children attended a rural school prior to Hurricane Matthew to determine the mechanism by which hurricanes impact school attendance. We determined the marginal effect of family size and school enrollment using a probit model. Parents identified two primary causes for their children leaving school: a loss of income—through crop damage and livestock deaths—and requiring the children’s labor on the family farm. In our sample 96 children, 46% of the children enrolled in school, stopped attending because of the hurricane. No parent reported that their child(ren) left school because of illness or injury. Families with more children in school before the storm were 5% (p < 0.001) more likely to have a child remain in school. Families with some children not attending school before the hurricane were 7.6% (p < 0.001) more likely to leave school after the storm. The survey and probit model both suggest that an income constraint caused children to leave school. There is limited empirical evidence that students leave school to provide labor on family farms, and no evidence they leave school because of illness or injury.

Highlights

The intensity and frequency of hurricanes in the Caribbean has increased in the past few decades.While natural disasters have been studied for their impact on property damage, the environment, and economic well-being [1], it is challenging to quantify their effects on ‘softer’ metrics such as changes in health or reduced school attendance
The survey and probit model both suggest that an income constraint caused children to leave school
We identified the impact of Hurricane Matthew, which hit Haiti on 4 October 2016, on school attendance in an agricultural community, Dessab

Summary

Introduction

The intensity and frequency of hurricanes in the Caribbean has increased in the past few decades. While natural disasters have been studied for their impact on property damage, the environment, and economic well-being [1], it is challenging to quantify their effects on ‘softer’ metrics such as changes in health or reduced school attendance. The hurricane itself causes a reduction in school attendance, creating a cyclical pattern where those with low levels of education are the hardest hit by a natural disaster and one effect is to reduce the probability children will continue in school, causing the community to be stuck in a negative feedback loop. The community in Dessab, like much of Haiti, is highly susceptible to negative impacts from natural disasters due to its low economic development and weak government.

Materials and Methods

Results and Discussion

Conclusions