Reproductive Behavior is Linked to Work Autonomy, Not to Employment Itself

Abstract

Analysis of data on 1942 urban mothers who participated in the Cebu Longitudinal Health and Nutrition Survey during 1983-84 revealed differences in contraceptive usage and prenatal care depending upon employment status. The women were interviewed during the third trimester of pregnancy within 3 days of delivery and bimonthly for 2 years postpartum. At baseline 58% were not working for pay 18% were self-employed 9% did piecework 7% had professional positions and 7% were blue-collar workers. Only 18% had secondary or higher education while 33% had primary education and 49% little or no schooling. Professional women were most likely to have had 2 or more prenatal visits in the first 5 months of pregnancy (57%) followed by women who were not working for pay (23%) self-employed or blue-collar workers (22%) and pieceworkers (15%). Controlling for background variables professional women were twice as likely as women who did not work for pay to have had 2 or more early prenatal visits and this was not linked to higher earnings. Half of the 1556 women who were not pregnant 1 year postpartum were not using contraception (23% were using traditional methods; 27% modern methods). Professional and self-employed women were most likely to be using a method (63% and 59% respectively) while only 38% of blue-collar workers used a method. The study concluded that jobs that afforded women greater autonomy were associated with greater likelihood of using contraception and health services.