Labor effects of adult mortality in Tanzanian households

Despite much concern about the impact of the AIDS epidemic on households in developing countries, little empirical research has addressed this topic at the household level. This study examines one area of the potential impact of a prime-age adult death - adjustments in time allocation and household activities. Using a panel data set from Tanzania, participation in activities across different demographic groups and at the household level was examined. This analysis has focus ed on time allocation and activities of agricultural households and has used a large and detailed panel data set, in comparison to the few studies in this area, which to date have been small and illustrative. To complete the picture of the impact of HIV/AIDS, however, these results ultimately need to be incorporated into results on an array of adjustments and outcomes, including changes in farm output and household consumption, that may result from an adult death. Furthermore, these results need comparison to other types of farming systems, such as areas with lower population density and without tree crops. Moreover, the results highlight short-run adjustments. Further research is needed to assess the extent to which these findings reflect long-run impacts of adult deaths. © 2005 by The University of Chicago. All rights reserved.