Sociology and Anthropology Vol. 3(11), pp. 591 - 597
DOI: 10.13189/sa.2015.031103
Reprint (PDF) (224Kb)

Socio-economic Background and Women Empowerment in Cross River State, Nigeria: Implications for Maternal Health, Using Data from the NDHS 2008

David B. Ugal ^*
Department of Sociology, Federal University, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Gender equality and women's empowerment are important indicators in development strategies that focus on poverty reduction and improved maternal health. Despite the importance of these factors to the overall wellbeing of women and the nation, research in this area is neglected. Besides the condition of women in relation to women empowerment, indicators have remained poor in the study area. The study used data from the 2008 national Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS, 2008) to examine the socio-economic condition of women in relation to their level of empowerment and how it affects maternal health outcome in Cross River State. The study utilized data of a representative sample of 735 women of age 15-49. A majority of respondents reported Poor/low socio-economic status ranging from low educational status, unskilled occupation, and low income per month, seasonal employment etc. This affected the level of empowerment in all the indicators – women's participation in household decision making, their attitude towards wife beating and their attitude towards a wife's right to refuse sexual intercourse with her husband or partner. These conditions manifest in high maternal morbidity and mortality. These are also responsible for women's inability to determine number of children, spacing and antenatal care options available to them. These findings are in line with the prevalent scenario in the entire country. There is therefore an urgent need for improving and enhancing women socio-economic condition as it will improve their level of empowerment and will bring about better maternal health status.

KEYWORDS
Socio Economic Status, Women Empowerment, Maternal Health

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] David B. Ugal , "Socio-economic Background and Women Empowerment in Cross River State, Nigeria: Implications for Maternal Health, Using Data from the NDHS 2008," Sociology and Anthropology, Vol. 3, No. 11, pp. 591 - 597, 2015. DOI: 10.13189/sa.2015.031103.

(b). APA Format:
David B. Ugal (2015). Socio-economic Background and Women Empowerment in Cross River State, Nigeria: Implications for Maternal Health, Using Data from the NDHS 2008. Sociology and Anthropology, 3(11), 591 - 597. DOI: 10.13189/sa.2015.031103.