Cohabitation and child health: understanding the pathways of the impact in Ghana

Abstract Cohabitation has emerged as an increasingly prevalent form of union, particularly among the younger adult population in Africa, and this trend is significantly pronounced in Ghana. This rising prevalence of cohabitation carries significant implications for parenting and childbearing dynamics, impacting child health. In this study, we investigate the influence of a mother’s age at the commencement of cohabitation on various child health outcomes. The results of our study reveal that an increase in the age at which women enter cohabitation for the first time is associated with improved health outcomes in children. This positive effect is pronounced for children born to women with no formal education. We identify a reduction in instances of domestic violence, and improvements in healthcare practices, as the pathways through which age at cohabitation improves child health.