Female education, adolescent sexuality and the risk of sexually transmitted infection in Ariaal Rendille culture

Abstract

Sub-Saharan Africa today features the worlds highest levels of fertility, infant and child mortality and sexually transmitted infectious diseases, with the last including Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome(AIDS) (National Academy of Sciences 1996). All three parameters are affected by female education. Beginning with Caldwell (1979) seminal analysis of Nigerian survey data, two decades of research link maternal education with decreased fertility and child/infant mortality (see, for example, Unitcd Nations 1985, Cleland and Kaufmann 1990, Cleland and Van Ginnckcn 1989). Relationships between maternal education and Icrtilitv arc. however, not as straightforward as the 'dose and response' patterns measured for infant/child mortality, and in some cases mav actually reveal a positive relationship (jejecbhov 1995, Lnited \'ations 199:;, Bledsoe ('/ 01. 1999a). :\onethcless the International Conference Oil Population' and Development in Cairo. 1904. strongly called for universal female access to education because: