Effects of women decision making power on rural children nutritional status in Ogun State of Nigeria

Abstract

Women's authority over specific family decisions tends to increase their financial security and power, which has an impact on their children's general health and well-being. A multistage sampling process was employed to choose 120 households. Primary data on the children's nutritional status, the household's socioeconomic characteristics, and women decision making were gathered using a well-structured questionnaire. The children's mean body mass index was 9.62 kg/m², indicating underweight. It was also demonstrated that women had little influence over the quantity of farm produce consumed or sold, nor the number and spacing of their children. On the other hand, rural women make decisions about the daily diet of the home, the education of the children, the kind of medical assistance the child receives while ill, and the amount of parental guidance the youngster receives. However, the women decision making index (WDMI) which measures the negotiating power of women was 0.537. With the age of the mother, gender of child, women decision making index, farm size, farmers association, and farming experience influencing the children nutritional status. Therefore, as it tends to improve the nutritional outcomes for children, it is advised that women be given more control.