ABSTRACT
This study is concerned with understanding the impact of demographic changes, socioeconomic inequalities, and the availability of health factors on life expectancy [LE] in the low and lower middle income countries. The cross-country data were collected from 91 countries from the United Nations agencies in 2012. LE is the response variable with demographics [total fertility rate, and adolescent fertility rate], socioeconomic status [mean year of schooling, and gross national income per capita], and health factors [physician density, and HIV prevalence rate] are as the three main predictors. Stepwise multiple regression analysis is used to extract the main factors. The necessity of more healthcare resources and higher levels of socioeconomic advantages are more likely to increase LE. On the other hand, demographic changes and health factors are more likely to increase LE by way of decease fertility rates and disease prevalence. These findings suggest that international efforts should aim at increasing LE, especially in the low income countries through the elimination of HIV prevalence, adolescent fertility, and illiteracy
ABSTRACT
This study evaluated the reproductive health rights, women empowerment and gender equity in a rural area of Bangladesh. Three hundred married women of reproductive age [15-49 years] in Meherpur District, Bangladesh were interviewed using a structured questionnaire and purposing sampling techniques. The logistic regression analysis was used to determine the dominating factors affecting reproductive health rights. To fulfill the objectives of the study the two main factors, age at marriage and family planning acceptance of the respondents, were regarded as the determinants. The study results revealed that almost all the respondents were housewives [82.3%], one-third [31.0%] did not avail any modern facility, and their yearly income was very low. Moreover, about half of the women [52.7%] were very young [