Why some women deliver in health institutions and others do not: A cross sectional study of married women in Ghana, 2008
Abstract
Existing inequalities in an environment where men wield so much authority can have negative implications for women’s reproductive health outcomes. Using a quantitative approach, the study explores the relationship between some selected socioeconomic variables, women’s status and choice of place of delivery. All three indicators of status employed by the study were significantly associated with whether a woman had an institutional delivery or not. This association however diminished after controlling for other confounding socio-economic variables. The findings indicate that a woman’s status does not act independently to affect her choice of place of delivery but these effects are channelled through some socio-economic variables. Wealth and educational status of the women and their partners emerged predictors of choice of place of delivery. Expansion of economic opportunities for women, as well as female education must be encouraged. In addition, these should not be done in neglect of male education. (Afr J Reprod Health 2012; 16[3]: 35-46).
Résumé
Les inégalités qui existent dans un environnement où les hommes exercent tellement d'autorité peuvent avoir des conséquences négatives pour les résultats de santé des femmes en matière de reproduction. En utilisant une approche quantitative, l'étude explore le rapport entre certains variables socio-économiques sélectionnés, la situation des femmes et le choix du lieu d’accouchement. Tous les trois indices de la situation employés par l'étude étaient significativement associés au fait de savoir si une femme a eu un accouchement institutionnel ou non. Cette association a toutefois diminué après avoir pris en compte d'autres variables socio-économiques déconcertants. Les résultats indiquent que la situation d'une femme n'agit pas indépendamment pour influencer son choix du lieu d’accouchement, mais ces effets sont acheminés par l'intermédiaire de certaines variables socioéconomiques. La richesse et le niveau d'éducation des femmes et leurs partenaires se sont révélés être des indices de choix du lieu d’accouchement. L’élargissement des possibilités économiques pour les femmes, ainsi que l’éducation des femmes doivent être encouragés. En outre, il ne faut pas accomplir tout ceci au détriment de l'éducation des hommes (Afr J Reprod Health 2012; 16[3]: 35-46).
Keywords: status, socio-economic variables, institutional delivery
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