Abstract: 
Material deprivation harms children’s physical and mental health. My PhD thesis investigates the lasting effects of colonial legacies on child poverty and inequality in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), focusing on comparative estimates for Francophone and Anglophone countries and their links to mental health. Using data from the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Baro and Lee (2021), and the Gallup World Poll, the study estimated child poverty using UNICEF’s ‘Bristol Approach’ and employed ANOVA models to assess between-group differences. Inequalities were assessed using difference measures (D) and inequality indices (RII and SII). The relationship between food insecurity and mental health was analysed using a two-level logistic model. Findings indicated similar child poverty estimates across colonial origins, except in health and education, where Francophone children faced higher risks of low vaccine uptake, limited access to medical care, and lower school attendance. Socioeconomic inequalities in these sectors were also more pronounced in Francophone states. Additionally, food insecurity significantly predicted poor mental health. The study concludes that although child poverty is widespread in SSA, health and education services are notably affected by colonial legacies. Recommendations include decentralising health and education in Francophone states and addressing food poverty to enhance the mental well-being of older children. 

About the presenter:
Cynthia is a postdoctoral fellow with the IIASA-SALDRU project in Demography, Human Capital, and Sustainable Development. She completed her PhD at the School for Policy Studies in Health and Wellbeing at the University of Bristol in 2025. A core component of her work has been analysing material deprivation in access to basic services within and between countries, particularly how disparities are shaped by socioeconomic status, geography, and colonial origin. Specifically, her work focuses on child deprivation in health, education, nutrition, and household services such as clean water, adequate sanitation, and housing. She is currently working on education and human capital development, and on the social determinants that shape physical and mental health. Prior to her research, she worked as a general practitioner in Nigeria and Burkina Faso, and later pursued a master’s in public health in Ghana, which opened the door to community research and policymaking through active involvement in consultancies, volunteer work, and community engagements within bilateral institutions, ministries of health, and research organisations. This practical experience exposed her to real-world problems, highlighting the need for evidence-based solutions informed by research.