Document Type

Dissertation

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Major/Program

Public Health

First Advisor's Name

Alejandro Arrieta

First Advisor's Committee Title

Committee chair

Second Advisor's Name

Gilbert Ramirez

Second Advisor's Committee Title

Committee member

Third Advisor's Name

Noël Barengo

Third Advisor's Committee Title

Committee member

Fourth Advisor's Name

Mihaela Pintea

Fourth Advisor's Committee Title

Committee member

Keywords

Women's Empowerment; Religion, Maternal Healthcare, Child Healthcare, DHS

Date of Defense

3-23-2023

Abstract

Purpose: The dissertation explored the multifaceted and complex issue of women's empowerment, its association with maternal and child healthcare, and the potential association with religion on healthcare utilization. Maternal and child health has been a major global concern, particularly in developing countries with significantly higher mortality rates. The study examined whether women's empowerment, religion, and interaction were associated with maternal and child healthcare while identifying gaps in the existing research.

Methods: The study employed a cross-sectional design, using data from the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) conducted in Pakistan (2017-2018) and India (2019-2021), with sample sizes of 6,151 and 26,985, respectively. The inclusion criteria were women between 15 and 49 years old who had given birth once and no more than five years prior to the survey. The outcomes were antenatal care visits, tetanus injections, skilled birth attendants, and low birth weight. Women's empowerment was assessed through factor analysis, probit regression was conducted, and marginal effects were reported.

Findings: The studies found that women's empowerment enhances maternal outcomes in Pakistan. The likelihood of having required antenatal care visits was 8% points higher, 6% higher points higher for tetanus injection, and 8% higher for having skilled birth attendants. Religion may also play a key role; however, the second paper found little literature analyzing the association between women's empowerment and religion. The following paper found that religion was vital, but women's empowerment reduced its significance. It was displayed that the likelihood of having required antenatal care was 2% points higher for decision-making (selection) and 5% points higher for decision-making (judgment). The likelihood of having required antenatal care was 5% points low for financial (durable assets), which is an unexpected result.

Conclusion: In conclusion, women's empowerment and religion are essential to consider when assessing maternal and child healthcare situations. Future research should examine the interaction between women's empowerment and religion on maternal and child healthcare utilization to address current research gaps.

Identifier

FIDC011033

ORCID

0000-0003-1995-5352

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