Browsing by Author "W / Michael, Girma"

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    Gender Bias in Allocation of Household Resources for Children Five to Fourteen Years of Age
    (Addis Abeba University, 1994-06) W / Michael, Girma; K. Stansfield, Sally (PhD)
    A cross-sectional , comparative study was conducted in rural Sululta woreda between September I and January 30, 1994 to assess gender bias in the allocation of household resources for children 5-14 years of age. Data were obtained through a questionnaire survey and focus group discussions. Caretakers for a total of 1785 children, including 903 boys (50.6%) and 882 girls (49.4%), were interviewed during a survey of every fifth household in 17 randomly selected farmers associations. Nutritional practices were found to favour boys, with male children more likely to receive highly valued foods including meat (risk ratio [RR] = 1.24, 95 % confidence intervals [CI] = 1.19-1.28), milk (RR=2.74, CI=2.43-3.09), egg (RR=2.75 , CI=1.39-5.44), butter (RR=1.45, CI=1.38-1.53), and lentils (RR= 1.02, CI = 1.00-1.03). No statistical differepce hy gender was ohserved for duration of breast feeding or age at introduction of complement;n)' foods. Boys were given greater access to educa!io:!al ~pportunities, w;th enrolment in school significantly higher among m?J!" r.bilciren (RR=1.27. CI=1.05-1.53). Boys were more likely to be immunized (RR=1.28, CI=1.03-1.58), and more likely to receive the care of a health professional when ill (RR= 1.12, CI= 1.05- 1.19). Girls were more likely to work at household chores for 12 or more hours per day (RR=1.31 , CI=1.16-1.49) and were more often expected to marry at less than 20 years of age (RR=25 .65 , CI=18. 15-36.25). IV Other parental expectations for the future of their children, including earning power and inheritance patterns, also favoured male children. A special program to improve the status of the girl child is recommended.