Maternal Education And Child Survival In Ghana

ABSTRACT This study assessed the effect of education on child survival in Ghana using the data from the 2008 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey. The study involved a total of 2099 children born to mothers within the ages of 15-49 years in the last five years preceding the survey. The analysis was limited to the last child of each mother born within the study period. Univariate, bivariate and multivariate statistical tools were used to analyse the data. Of the 2099 children, 3.8 percent died while 96.2 percent survived. The mothers’ level of education was found not to be significantly associated with child survival. Breastfeeding and number of ante natal visits were among the intermediate variables found to significantly influence child survival. Recommendations are that, rather than emphasizing formal education, there is the need for comprehensive basic health care education that encourages mothers to breastfeed and to make regular ante natal visits during pregnancy to ensure increased chances of child survival.