THE IMPACT OF FORMAL MATERNAL EDUCATION ON CHILD SURVIVAL IN GHANA

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigated the impact of formal maternal education on child survival in Ghana using a probit model. Methodology:This study used data from the Ghana Demographic and Health Survey for the period of 1993 to 2008. It is nationally representative sample including urban and rural areas in the 10 regions of Ghana. It looks at trends in demographic and health indicators and is conducted every five years (GSS, 2009). . Findings: Mothers’ education had a positive and significant effect on child survival. In 2003 the probability of a child surviving up to age five increased by 15.4 percentage points for one year increase in mothers’ education, using control variables and 8.9 percentage points for a year increase in mothers’ education, after including socio-economic and reproductive factors of women, which revealed the true partial effect of maternal education. Unique contributions to theory practice and policy: It was observed that socio-economic and reproductive factors of women had an impact as well, hence policy makers should act to improve on these factors in order to complement the effect of formal maternal education to promote child survival in Ghana.