Family size, unwantedness, and child health and health care utilisation in Indonesia

This paper presents and estimates a model of the determinants of child health and health care utilisation in Indonesia. In particular, it estimates the impact of unwantedness and number of siblings on health outcomes and treatment. It finds evidence that children who are unwanted at birth are more likely than other children to become ill and less likely to receive treatment for illnesses. No evidence is found that children from larger families suffer adverse health consequences.