Assessing the impact on female literacy and education on maternal and infant health

Abstract

Literacy and access to education have long been found to correlate with positive indicators of women's reproductive health. The research points to the heightened ability of even marginally literate and schooled women to determine and seek appropriate healthcare. The purpose of this article is to highlight the continuous, pervasive problems that are caused for women and children due in part to the exclusion of women from the benefits of literacy and education in lower income countries. This is explored through an examination of the literature on women's literacy and education and trends in child and maternal mortality. The relationships between these are examined. Next, an analysis of current literacy rates of women worldwide are correlated with statistical predictors of maternal and child health including infant mortality, child mortality, maternal mortality, and fertility. Worldwide human development and gender development rankings are also considered. The findings demonstrate that female literacy and education negatively correlate with a number of key vital indicators of reproductive health, and that 75% of the countries with the lowest literacy rates for women are listed in the lowest 20% on the human development index.