Gender equality as a means to improve maternal and child health in Africa
Singh, K.; Bloom, S.; Brodish, P.
Health Care for Women International 36(1): 57-69
2015
ISSN/ISBN: 0739-9332 PMID: 24028632 DOI: 10.1080/07399332.2013.824971Document Number: 626480
In this article we examine whether measures of gender equality, household decision making, and attitudes toward gender-based violence are associated with maternal and child health outcomes in Africa. We pooled Demographic and Health Surveys data from eight African countries and used multilevel logistic regression on two maternal health outcomes (low body mass index and facility delivery) and two child health outcomes (immunization status and treatment for an acute respiratory infection). We found protective associations between the gender equality measures and the outcomes studied, indicating that gender equality is a potential strategy to improve maternal and child health in Africa.