Ibadan Journal of the Social Sciences
Volume 12, No. 2, 2014
DOI: 10.36108/ijss/4102.21.0230
Integrating Health Services into Microfinance Operations for Sustainable Poverty Alleviation: The Case of Female Clients in Edo State
Taiwo, Patricia A. & Owumi, B.E
Department a/Sociology, Faculty of the Social Sciences, University of Ibadan, Ibadan Nigeria
Abstract
Microfinance role in women empowerment and poverty alleviation has received a lot of focus with negligible attention on health implications. This paper focuses on microfinance and health integration services as pathway for sustainable poverty alleviation, using cross-sectional survey of 750 purposively selected respondents (400 from microfinance banks (MB.~)with integrated health-related services (IHS) and 350 from MBs without IHS in Benin, Ugbowo, Iruekpen, Auchi, Jattu and Ekpoma. Fourteen In-depth interviews and 20 Key Informant Interviews were conducted Respondents (60. 3%) from MBs with IHS, who attached high importance to their health, doubled those from MBs without IHS (30.3%). IHS enabled clients practice preventive health behaviour and payment for health services. IHS helps women value their health and reduces health-risks. MSs should be encouraged and funded to integrate health-related services in their operations.
Keywords: Microfinance, Integration of health service, Health education, Poverty