Bangladesh Stan Becker MHS at the School of Public Health; Department of International Health; Social and Behavioral Interventions concentration
Background: Microcredit is often thought to encourage economic development, increase the status of
women, and improve maternal and child health outcomes. While previous studies show a correlation
between these elements and women’s role in household decision-making, previous research often
only focuses on the female perspective and does not address these processes in detail. Studies that
explore the quantitative and qualitative aspects of how microcredit influences intra-couple decisionmaking
from the couple perspective will contribute to a better understanding of the relationship
between female economic participation and maternal and child health.
Objectives: To examine the process by which microcredit interventions influence intra-couple decisionmaking
in rural Bangladesh with regard to 1) women’s involvement in spousal decision-making on
consumer purchases, female mobility, and health-seeking behaviors; 2) women’s role in intra-couple
decision making and the gender roles within the family; 3) the perceived decision-making power within
the spousal relationship according to spousal perceptions of the other; and 4) the challenges that both
spouses encounter as a result of the changes in decision-making roles.
Methods: 68 couples who participated in a microcredit intervention will be surveyed to collect postexposure
data on women’s participation in household decision-making. 30 of these couples will be
recruited to participate in semi-structured interviews to collect additional in-depth qualitative data on
this process. All interviews will be conducted separately and simultaneously. Paired analysis will be
used to compare baseline and post-exposure quantitative survey data. Qualitative data will be
analyzed to explore thematic differences between women’s decision-making power and their
participation in microcredit schemes.
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Jewel Gausman
