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In a number of studies of the determinants of infant and child health,maternal education emerges as perhaps the strongest socioeconomic predictorof infant and child health (Cochrane et al. 1980; Cleland and van Ginneltin1988; United Nations 1985; Hobcraft et al. 1985). However, e_,@'orts toexplain wig; more educated mothers have healthier children have been largelyinconclusive. if maternal education alters infant and child health risks, it mustaffect [actor directly related to health, such as nutrien intake, exposure topathogens, susceptibility to pathogens, and two dimensions of behavior thatpotentially affect infant and child health and survival: knowledge and use ofhealth services; and characteristics of the home environment that might affectthe transmission of diseases. Our result demonstrate a strong relationshipbetween maternal education and a number of health-related factors: theabsence of trash and waste in the vicinity of the home, adequate ventilation,drinking and bathing water sources inside the home, electrification, ability toidentify specific health prenotal early use of prenatal care and deliveryassistance. The relatioships are robust to controls for household economicstatus, childhood residence, and even to very rigorous controls for residence. |
