Citation

Sudha S, Morrison S, Zhu L. Health Care Women Int. 2007; 28(3): 268-284.

Affiliation

Department of Human Development and Family Studies, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina. USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/07399330601180164

PMID

17364985

Abstract

In this article we examine factors associated with women's self-reports of reproductive ill health symptoms and factors associated with seeking and receiving treatment for the symptoms. We focus on indicators of women's societal position, especially empowerment (indicated by experience of and attitudes toward violence against women), autonomy, and education. We used data from the National Family Health Survey-2 from Kerala state in Southern India. Based on our results we suggest that violence against women, whether actually experienced or internalized as acceptance of its justification, is associated with increased ill health symptoms, and the acceptance of violence is associated with decreased chance of treatment. Women's higher formal education appeared to reduce treatment seeking for reproductive ill health, perhaps due to the stigma associated with sexually transmitted disease (STD) in this cultural setting. Women's work participation had no significant impact, nor did indicators of women's economic and personal autonomy.

Language: en