Magnitude and determinants of “Social Capital” among women in reproductive age group - A cross-sectional study from rural Wardha, Central India

CONTEXT: Social capital reflects the trust, norms, values and social processes that governs interaction among people. AIM: This study was conducted to estimate the magnitude and determinants of social capital among women of reproductive age group in selected village of rural Wardha, Central India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It was a community based cross-sectional study where two stage cluster sampling technique was used to select 300 participants from 22 villages. Data were collected using a pre-designed interviewer administered questionnaire by house-to-house survey. Social capital was measured using the core set of Integrated Questionnaire for the Measurement of Social Capital developed by World Bank. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Multivariate linear regression was applied to find out determinants of social capital. RESULTS: Most of the participants had poor social capital score (women having lowest and middle tertile scores were 36.0% and 45%, respectively). social capital poorer in younger women, women with lower educational qualification, not involved in gainful occupation, belonging to below poverty line and unmarried compared to their counterparts. Having at least one son was positively associated with higher social capital. In adjusted analysis, age, education, occupation, marital status, and whether the woman has son were revealed as significant determinants of social capital. CONCLUSION: The study findings reflect the need of improving education and job opportunity among rural women to improve their social capital. Increase of social capital among women having male child reflects the need to percolate the message of gender equity and gender sensitive education.