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An evaluation of a micro-credit system to promote health knowledge among poor women in Bangladesh

Authors :
Tilo Strobach
Manfred Zaumseil
Source :
Health Promotion International. 22:129-136
Publication Year :
2007
Publisher :
Oxford University Press (OUP), 2007.

Abstract

SUMMARY A Micro-credit system (MCS) is a financial system to support the economic needs of the poor. It is thought of as a community-based method to solve various problems, including the lack of health-related knowledge. Participants are organized in groups that assemble in regular meetings. Hadi (Hadi in Health Promotion International 16, 219‐227, 2001) investigated the MCS as a method to solve the lack of health-related knowledge among the poor in Bangladesh. His result among rural MCS participants shows a positive relationship between the duration of membership in a micro-credit group and health knowledge. Further, more knowledge was ascertained among participants than among non-participants. The present research investigated the effectiveness of the MCS in increasing health-related knowledge. Comparisons were made between rural and urban groups on the basis of three different durations of membership and the influence of TV. This three-factorial design shows a significant increase in knowledge in a very short period in rural areas, whereas in urban areas, no systematic increase was found. TV plays a significant roll in increasing knowledge. Different theoretical conclusions are discussed on the basis of the results.

Details

ISSN :
14602245 and 09574824
Volume :
22
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Health Promotion International
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....8257711f8fe73236b56f226775964f60
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1093/heapro/dam003