The Effect of the Lady Health Worker Program on Maternal Health and Family Planning Services in Rural Pakistan

The Lady Health Worker Program (LHWP) is a national program introduced in 1994 by the Pakistani Ministry of Health with the aim of improving access to Maternal and Child Health (MCH) and family planning services in urban slums and rural areas. Utilizing the 2006-2007 Pakistan Demographic Health Survey and the 2006 Pakistan Community-level Rural Survey, this dissertation examines the effect of the LHWP on use of reversible contraceptives and MCH services (tetanus toxoid immunizations/antenatal care) in rural Pakistan. In order to control for non-random program placement, this study uses an instrumental variable approach with a novel set of valid geographic exclusion restrictions.Doctor of Philosoph