Women Health and Gender Gap in Some Poor Settings

Abstract

A disproportionate share of the burden of poverty rests on women’s shoulders, and undermines their health. The aim of this paper is to assess some points regarding women health and status in poor urban settings in Alexandria and poor rural setting. Also, to assess gender gap in these settings. The study was carried out using a cross sectional approach. It was conducted in four areas; two urban and one semi urban areas in Alexandria Governorate and one rural area in Kafr El-Dawar, Behira Governorate. The study included 1423 families, 337 from Abu-Kir, 376 from Ezbaat Sokina, 349 from Ezbaat El-Brince and 361 from Ezbaat Daife. An interviewing questionnaire was used to collect data from the women about household family members. Female to male comparison as well as sex ration of some parameters were used to assess gender gap. Results showed that females were the head of the family in 2% of the families. In 4% of the families, wives participated in the family income. Female illiteracy reported higher level among family members comparing to male illiteracy in rural and semi-urban areas. Higher education was more frequent among females [31% & 17%] than male [26% & 16%] in urban area. Unemployment was 90% among females aged 45+ years. The rate of ill health increased with age from 28% in young adult to 58% in older women [45+] compared to 50% among older males. Cardiovascular diseases mainly hypertension and diabetes mellitus were the most frequent complaint [20.3% and 11.5%] for females compared to [14.1% and 8.3%] for males. Diarrhea and ARI were more frequent among males than among females. More than half of the boys and girls under 6 years old did not seek any medical care in the last 6 months. Majority of the poor women had antenatal care, vaccinated against tetanus and delivered in hospital under medical supervision and practicing contraception both in rural and urban settings. Female to male sex ratio was close to one in different age groups except reproductive age it was exceed one. In conclusion poor urban and rural women are subjected to a heavy burden of poverty, poor health, low socio-economic status, and gender inequality.