Is microfinance associated with changes in women’s well-being and children’s nutrition? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Gichuru, Wanjiku; Ojha, Shalini; Smith, Sherie; Smyth, Alan; Szatkowski, Lisa

doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2018-023658

Cited by 20 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…Related findings were documented for Ethiopia (Doocy et al , 2005) and Ghana (Malapit and Quisumbing, 2015). Recently, microfinance provision is shown to result in enhanced children's nutrition in three out of 27 studies included in a systematic review and meta-analysis (Gichuru et al , 2019).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Welfare impacts of rural credit and saving program inKurfa Cheledistrict, eastern Ethiopia: a propensity score matching estimation

Okoyo

Wordofa

Hassen

et al. 2021

AFR

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PurposeThis study is conducted to evaluate the impact of rural credit on farm household income and food security.Design/methodology/approachA multistage random sampling procedure is implemented to select 180 (82 credit user and 98 non-credit user) households from Kurfa Chele district, eastern Ethiopia. The Propensity Score Matching technique is used to estimate the impact of credit utilization on the welfare indicators.FindingsThe results of the econometric model estimation show that participation in the rural credit program was positively influenced by a household's educational status, family size, voluntary saving and participation in training related to credit and saving. On the contrary, livestock holding and extension advice were found to negatively affect participation. Furthermore, participation in rural credit program is found to increase annual income by 59% and calorie intake by 21%. These are significant results implying that participation in the rural credit and saving program improved household welfare in the study area.Originality/valueThis study is important because it shows the welfare impact of making credit program available to potential users in the study area. Moreover, for effectiveness of the credit program it is necessary to target households with relatively larger family size and those with relatively better education (to induce change among the wider farming community). It is also essential to focus on the saving behavior of the program beneficiaries and enhancing the management system by ensuring that sufficient development agents are in place.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Welfare impacts of rural credit and saving program inKurfa Cheledistrict, eastern Ethiopia: a propensity score matching estimation

Okoyo

Wordofa

Hassen

et al. 2021

AFR

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“…These savings groups, particularly women's groups, enable mobility and provide an opportunity to form effective social networks ( 33 , 35 ) and impact members’ socioeconomic aspects, health-related knowledge, and service utilization ( 12 , 32 , 37 , 38 ). A systematic review found positive associations between membership in micro-finance groups and increasing contraceptive use and better child nutrition status ( 34 ). Studies on micro-finance groups in Nepal have shown that these groups increase women's social participation and decision making ( 33 , 39 ) as well as result in positive changes in health-related knowledge and practices ( 33 , 40 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Health Mothers’ Groups in Nepal: Barriers, Facilitators, and Recommendations

Manandhar

Adhikari

Acharya

et al. 2022

Current Developments in Nutrition

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Background Nepal's female community health volunteers (FCHVs) each lead a monthly health mothers’ group (HMG) to share health-related information and engage communities in the health system. Suaahara II (SII), a United States Agency for International Development-funded multisectoral nutrition program, uses social and behavior change interventions to promote HMG participation and uses its health systems interventions to strengthen HMG quality. Objectives This study aimed to explore HMG functionality and variation across Nepal including barriers and facilitators to attending HMG meetings. Methods SII's cross-sectional annual survey data from 16 districts (n = 192 FCHVs and 1850 mothers with children under two years) were used. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were conducted where the outcome variable was whether mothers were active HMG members or not, with FCHV and maternal characteristics as explanatory variables. Qualitative data was obtained from 3 of 16 survey districts (n = 30 observations, n = 30 in-depth interviews with mothers and n = 16 focus group discussions with mothers, family members, FCHVs, health workers and SII staff). Results Among FCHVs, 90% reported facilitating HMG meetings, whereas 64% of mothers reported its availability and only 25% reported participating actively in meetings. Household head gender, maternal age, maternal education, maternal self-efficacy, and engagement with an FCHV and SII were associated with whether mothers were active participants in HMG meetings. Qualitative findings highlighted systems-level barriers, including lack of FCHV skills, demotivation and heavy workload. Mothers noted time as the major constraint, and family support, the HMG's savings component, and active FCHVs as facilitators to participation. Conclusions Findings suggest that both supply- and demand-side solutions are needed to improve HMG performance and uptake in Nepal. These solutions need to include improving FCHV skills and motivating them to provide high-quality HMG services, as well as encouraging family members to support women so that they have time to participate in the HMGs.

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“…41 A meta-analysis indicated the potential for women and girls, because microfinance may lead to changes in the use of contraceptives, strengthen female empowerment and improve children's nutrition. 42 However, for female borrowers of microfinance, there might be additional burdens in the form of loan repayments and small-business investment. Our results suggest that illiterate and poor women in the country are benefiting from health awareness by recognising that if they do not consume prescribed medicine for chronic ailments (heart disease, cholesterol or diabetes) it can have serious consequences for their own lives and the future livelihood of their families.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of microfinance health interventions on health-related outcomes among female informal workers in Pakistan: a retrospective quasi-experimental study

et al. 2021

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ObjectiveThe purpose of this study is to assess the impact of microfinance health interventions (health insurance and health-awareness programmes) on health-related outcomes among female informal workers in Pakistan.DesignWe conducted a retrospective, quasi-experimental study among a total of 442 female borrowers from seven microfinance providers (MFPs) across four provinces of Pakistan in 2018. A standardised tool was used for data collection. Probit regression was used to identify the probability of female borrowers gaining improvements in health outcomes based on their sociodemographic characteristics. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to assess the overall impact of health interventions.Primary outcome measuresFour health-related outcomes reported by the women were used: perception of good health overall, ability to visit a general practitioner, ability to purchase prescribed medicine and intake of multivitamins.ResultsWe found that women receiving health interventions had a greater probability of better health outcomes when they were from Punjab province, borrowing in groups and attending monthly meetings at MFPs. Even with a small loan amount, all four health-related outcomes were significantly associated with receiving health insurance and health-awareness programmes. PSM results show a greater likelihood of overall perceived good health (nearest neighbour matching (NNM) =17.4%; kernel matching (KM) =11.8%) when health insurance is provided and a significant improvement in the ability to purchase prescribed medicine when a health-awareness programme is provided (NNM=10.1%; KM=11.7%).ConclusionHealth and social policies are vital to secure health and well-being among poor women working in the informal sector. Targeting improved equity across female population groups for health interventions will in the long run improve poor women’s health, income-earning abilities and capacity expansion for small businesses.

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Is microfinance associated with changes in women’s well-being and children’s nutrition? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Cited by 20 publications

References 33 publications

Welfare impacts of rural credit and saving program inKurfa Cheledistrict, eastern Ethiopia: a propensity score matching estimation

Welfare impacts of rural credit and saving program inKurfa Cheledistrict, eastern Ethiopia: a propensity score matching estimation

Health Mothers’ Groups in Nepal: Barriers, Facilitators, and Recommendations

Impact of microfinance health interventions on health-related outcomes among female informal workers in Pakistan: a retrospective quasi-experimental study

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