Citation

Kateja A. Soc. Change 2007; 37(2): 29-39.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Council for Social Development, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/004908570703700202

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

A strong relationship exists between a woman's literacy and her use of reproductive and maternal health services. Literacy is directly related to the status of a woman, her age at marriage, her decision power and to mention especially, capability to access health care services. Literacy not only increases women's self-confidence but also makes them more exposed to information and thereby altering the way others respond to them. Female literacy improves the chances that women will obtain meaningful employment, reduces their demand for children and improves health-seeking behaviour, makes them aware of nutritional requirements-all these combined improve the chances of survival of both-the mother and the baby. The present paper focuses on the relationship between the female literacy and mortality rates (IMR and MMR) and establishes an inverse relationship between them. The study also finds a positive correlation between infant mortality and maternal mortality

Language: en