The Gender Belief System of Maternal Health Service Stakeholders in Partido, Philippines

Abstract

The study analyzed the gender belief system of Maternal Health Service (MHS) stakeholders in the Partido District, Philippines. It surveyed the socio-demographics of respondents; tested their gender bias; and analyzed gender bias score in relation to selected socio-demographic variables. The bias score was analyzed using Pearson’s correlation and regression analysis. The respondents were not extremely biased but did not have strong sense of gender equality. Beneficiaries had higher bias score than decision-makers/ implementers. There were outliers among decision-makers/ implementers. Correlation statistics disclosed that a 6.66-point decrease in bias score was expected for every level increase in education. The regression results implied that 19% of the variation in bias score was attributed to education. This may be explained by the exposure of educated individuals to varied, new concepts and theories. Education opens the mind to a whole new set of cultures and norms which may challenge the individual to embrace new belief systems.