This study uses data from the Ghana Demographic and Health Survey for the period of 1993 to 2008. It investigates the impact of formal maternal education on child survival in Ghana using a probit model. Mothers’ education has a positive and significant effect on child survival. In 2003 the probability of a child surviving up to age five increased by 15.4 percentage points for one year increase in mothers’ education, using control variables and 8.9 percentage points for a year increase in mothers’ education, after including socio-economic and reproductive factors of women, which revealed the true partial effect of maternal education. It was observed that socio-economic and reproductive factors of women had an impact as well, hence policy makers should act to improve on these factors in order to complement the effect of formal maternal education to promote child survival in Ghana.
Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE
1.1 INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER TWO
2.1 THEORETICAL WORKS
2.2 KEY FACTORS THAT MEDIATE BETWEEN MOTHERS EDUCATION AND CHILD SURVIVAL
CHAPTER THREE
3.1 DATA SOURCE
3.2 DATA SUMMARY AND ANALYSIS
3.3 DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICS
3.3.1 SAMPLE CHARACTERISTICS BY YEAR
CHAPTER FOUR
4.1 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
CHAPTER FIVE
5.1 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Research Objectives and Key Topics
This study investigates the relationship between formal maternal education and child survival in Ghana from 1993 to 2008. It aims to determine the extent to which maternal education influences child survival and how socio-economic and reproductive factors mediate this relationship using a probit model.
- The impact of formal maternal education on child survival rates.
- The mediating role of socio-economic and reproductive behavioral factors.
- Analysis of child survival trends based on Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS) data.
- Policy recommendations to improve child welfare and survival in Ghana.
Excerpt from the Book
1.1 Introduction
This study investigates the relationship between formal maternal education and child survival in Ghana. In order to find out the effect of maternal education, it will include socio-economic and reproductive variables of the mothers, which are believed to mediate between maternal education and child survival. Raj et al. (2010) found that there was a high probability of an increase in nutritional problems of children whose mothers got married at a lesser age. Other factors such as the size of the child at birth, twin, the total number of children ever born and desire for pregnancy were found to affect child survival as well. Place of residence and distance in terms of access to health care facilities would also affect child survival.
Similar studies on this topic in Ghana are scarce, however, some studies have found that mothers’ years of schooling have a large impact on child survival directly or indirectly. Maternal education can affect child health in one or many ways such as nutrition. Aslam and Kingdon (2012), Cochrane et al. (1982), Frost et al. (2005), Kassauf and Senaur (1996).
Child health and childhood mortality are measures of development in the society (Zachary et al. 2013). That is why ensuring child survival is of great importance. MDG 4 was set to reduce under-five mortality two-thirds by the end of 2015 from its 2000 goals. Under-five mortality is decreasing across the globe and it was predicted to be around 7.2
Summary of Chapters
CHAPTER ONE: Provides an introduction to the study, outlining the research focus on the relationship between maternal education and child survival in Ghana.
CHAPTER TWO: Reviews theoretical works and identifies key factors, such as socio-economic and reproductive variables, that mediate the impact of maternal education on child survival.
CHAPTER THREE: Details the data source, using GDHS survey data, and explains the methodology and probit model used for the analysis.
CHAPTER FOUR: Presents the results of the regression analysis and discusses the findings regarding maternal education and other contributing factors.
CHAPTER FIVE: Concludes the study and provides policy recommendations for enhancing child survival in Ghana.
Keywords
Child Survival, GDHS, Maternal Education, Ghana, Mediate, Probit, Socio-economic, Reproductive Behavior, Mortality, Public Health, Healthcare Access, Nutrition, Child Development, Millennium Development Goals, Policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this study?
The study examines the impact of formal maternal education on the survival probability of children under the age of five in Ghana using data from 1993 to 2008.
What are the central thematic fields?
The work centers on development economics, specifically focusing on maternal education, child mortality, and the influence of socio-economic and reproductive variables.
What is the main research goal?
The goal is to measure the significance and magnitude of maternal education's impact on child survival and to identify how other socio-economic factors contribute to this outcome.
Which scientific methodology is employed?
The author uses a probit model to analyze quantitative data gathered from the Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS) across multiple years.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The body covers theoretical frameworks, data description, descriptive statistics, and a detailed econometric analysis of variables affecting child survival.
Which keywords characterize this research?
Key terms include Child Survival, Maternal Education, Ghana, Probit, and Socio-economic Mediate factors.
How did socio-economic factors affect the results?
The study found that socio-economic variables act as mediators; when these factors were included in the regression, the partial effect of maternal education was clarified.
What is a key conclusion regarding maternal education?
Increasing maternal years of schooling is a vital indicator for promoting child survival, though it should be complemented by improvements in broader socio-economic and reproductive factors.
- Quote paper
- Samuel Laari (Author), 2016, The Impact of Formal Maternal Education on Child Survival in Ghana, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/498584
