Gender in niGeria report 2012 - Economic Commission for Africa

Gender in Nigeria Report 2012: Improving the Lives of Girls and Women in Nigeria 43
6.5 Reproductive health and the
importance of education
The impact of a woman’s education on health outcomes and on her healthseeking
behaviour is clear. Table 21 shows that, although the majority of women
have never used family planning, the proportion of those who use family planning
increases with their level of education.
Table 21. Mother’s education level and use of family planning methods.
Nigeria.
Mother’s education level
Ever used family planning method?
Never used Have used Total
No education 91.54 8.46 100
Primary 68.51 31.49 100
Secondary 61.45 38.55 100
Higher 37.51 62.49 100
Total 70.83 29.17 100
Tables 22 and 23 show the correlation between mothers’ education and health
seeking behaviour. Table 22 shows that the more educated a woman is, the more
likely she is to seek antenatal care. Table 23 shows that educated women are more
likely to deliver in a health centre. The table assumes that facilities with equipment and
trained staff are available; in fact, there is evidence that this is a key health issue in
Nigeria (see FMH, 2011).
Table 22. Mother’s education level and uptake of antenatal care. Nigeria.
Source: NBS (2008).
Mother’s education
Antenatal care uptake
level
No Yes Total
No education 75.49 24.51 100
Primary 40.51 59.49 100
Secondary 20.54 79.46 100
Higher 5.51 94.49 100
Total 49.30 50.57 100
Table 23. Mother’s education level, child vaccination, and place of
delivery. Nigeria.
Source: NBS (2008).
Mother’s
Full vaccination of child
Place of delivery
education
No Yes Total
Home Health facility Total
No education 50.02 49.98 100 88.59 11.41 100
Primary 24.60 75.40 100 59.62 40.38 100
Secondary 11.80 88.20 100 33.98 66.02 100
Higher 3.89 96.11 100 10.10 89.90 100
Total 30.56 69.44 100 62.29 37.71 100