Impact of Family Environment on School Enrollment in Bolivia

Hala N. Madanat, Brigham Young University
Kirk Dearden, Brigham Young University
Tim B. Heaton, Brigham Young University

This study identifies the influence of human capital, financial capital and family factors on school enrollment in Bolivia. Family factors included: (1) mother's knowledge of select health issues, (2) hygiene and health environment in the household, and (3) awareness and use of health services. Logistic regression was used to model the effect of the above factors on school enrollment. Demographic variables were also adjusted. Results of the study indicate that mother's education and knowledge of health issues, and the socioeconomic status of the family all influence children's school enrollment. Mothers who correctly identified how much their child should drink during diarrheal episodes were 1.6 times (p-value =.001) more like to have their child enrolled in school. The odds of a child being enrolled in school also went up with increases in the mother's education and the family's socioeconomic status, and decreased for girls. Implications for practice, policy and future research are discussed.