Role of Education in Health Care Decision Making in Nepal: Evidences from a Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

Education is increasingly put forth as a means of empowering women in developing countries, such as Nepal. Grounded on intra-household gender dynamics literature, empowerment in this paper is conceptualized as the decision-making ability of a woman regarding health care. The purpose of this study is to examine the role of education level as a means of improving women’s intra-household bargaining power in the spheres of health care. A cross-sectional survey was conducted from June to July 2013 among 300 married women of three districts in Gandaki Province of Nepal. The sample was selected in three stages, first stage being the selection of districts, second, being the village development committees and third being women. Logistic regression was applied to analyze the effect of women’s education on decision making on health care. The study reveals education level has a positive and significant effect on women’s decision making on health care. Overall, this study highlights the need for efforts to educate Nepalese girls in terms of higher schooling and associated beneficial welfare effects.

Key words: Health care, women’s education, decision making, Gandaki Province, Nepal.