Socio-Educational Influences on Nepali Women and Their Association with Innovative Values and Behaviors

Abstract

The introduction of health and family planning services in developing countries often requires extensive changes in the values and behaviors of the women of those countries. A better understanding of the factors influencing change in rural women would provide a stronger scientific base for the introduction of health services.The authors gathered data from 1,417 rural women in Nepal. Indicators of social change were contraceptive use, desired family size and scientific treatment of sick children. Major influences associated with change were regionality, having children in school, ownership of money and access to media. However, the strength of association with the indices of change varied, suggesting that change in values and behaviors is meaning specific and not a general phenomenon.