Mountain child: systematic literature review.

Audsley, Annie; Wallace, Rebecca M.M.; Price, Martin F.

Abstract

Objectives This systematic review identifies and reviews both peer-reviewed and 'grey' literature, across a range of disciplines and from diverse sources, relating to the condition of children living in mountain communities in low- and middle-income countries. Findings The literature on poverty in these communities does not generally focus on the particular vulnerabilities of children or the impact of intersecting vulnerabilities on the most marginalised members of communities. However, this literature does contribute analyses of the broader context and variety of factors impacting on human development in mountainous areas. The literature on other areas of children's lives - health, nutrition, child mortality, education, and child labour - focuses more specifically on children's particular vulnerabilities or experiences. However, it sometimes lacks the broader analysis of the many interrelated characteristics of a mountainous environment which impact on children's situations. Themes Nevertheless, certain themes recur across many disciplines and types of literature, and point to some general conclusions: mountain poverty is influenced by the very local specificities of the physical environment; mountain communities are often politically and economically marginalised, particularly for the most vulnerable within these communities, including children; and mountain communities themselves are an important locus for challenging and interrupting cycles of increasing inequality and disadvantage. While this broad-scale review represents a modest first step, its findings provide the basis for further investigation.

Citation

AUDSLEY, A., WALLACE, R.M.M. and PRICE, M.F. 2016. Mountain child: systematic literature review. Maternal and child health journal [online], 20(12), pages 2415-2423. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-016-2051-8

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jul 4, 2016
• Online Publication Date: Jul 11, 2016
• Publication Date: Dec 31, 2016
• Deposit Date: Jul 20, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 20, 2016
• Journal: Maternal and child health journal
• Print ISSN: 1092-7875
• Electronic ISSN: 1573-6628
• Publisher: Springer
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 20
• Issue: 12
• Pages: 2415-2423
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-016-2051-8
• Keywords: Literature review; Mountain child; Wellbeing; Poverty; Health; Nutrition; Education; Child mortality; Child labour/child labor
• Public URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10059/1541