Microfinance and women's health: an evaluation of women's health behaviors in Jimma, Ethiopia

Abstract

Microfinance programs in Ethiopia have existed since the late-1970s, but the relationship between microfinance and women's health has not been extensively investigated. This paper reports on a study evaluating the characteristics of a sample of women participating in microfinance operations with health outcomes, as measured by a health check up in the past year and knowledge about family planning methods. A total of 100 women were selected for the study at a microfinance office in Jimma, Ethiopia, to answer a 48-question survey designed to investigate the characteristics of participation in microfinance in relation to: (1) healthy habits, as assessed by medical check-ups and knowledge of family planning methods, (2) education, (3) demographics, (4) decision-making abilities within their household, (5) access to borrowing money from another individual or institution and (6) domestic violence. The study showed that women participating in microfinance operations were likely to have had a medical check up in the past year and that they were likely to acknowledge awareness of family planning methods. Additionally, we found that the women's education level is associated with knowledge of family planning. These results together suggest that the women participating in microfinance operations in Jimma, Ethiopia engage in healthy behavior practices.

Keywords:

• microfinance
• women's health
• health behavior
• Ethiopia