Assessment of gender-related differences in digital financial services use and health worker performance in Nigeria

Gender disparities in access to Digital Financial Services (DFS) may undermine the efficiency and equity of health campaign payments. Addressing these disparities is critical to ensure that DFS-based payment systems benefit all health workers equitably. This study assessed gender norms and examined gender differences in mobile phone ownership, internet use, and access to DFS among health campaign workers in Nigeria. Additionally, the study compared motivation, satisfaction, and performance associated with DFS between male and female health campaign workers. A mixed methods approach consisting of cross-sectional survey and qualitative interviews was used to obtain information from 817 polio immunization campaign workers sampled across the six geo-political zones of Nigeria. Key informant interview (n = 12), in-depth interview (n = 12) and focus group discussion (n = 12) were used to obtain qualitative data. An electronic structured questionnaire was utilized to collect participants’ socio-demographic characteristics, as well as information on gender norms/behaviors. Gender differences in motivation, satisfaction and performance were measured using eight constructs. The qualitative tools explored women’s ownership and use of digital products. Quantitative data was analyzed using the student t-test, while inductive coding approach was adopted for qualitative data. The majority of campaign workers (73.3%) were female. There were no significant gender differences in mobile phone ownership and internet use. Gender norms were largely positive regarding women having their own savings (93.3%) and owning assets (87.9%), but less favorable regarding women’s rights to financial privacy (71.6%) and being household financial providers (20.6%). About 57.1% of women managed bank accounts secretly, and more female health workers (65.3%) preferred dealing with female mobile money agents, particularly in Northern Nigeria. Females scored significantly higher (p < 0.01) in job satisfaction, organizational commitment, conscientiousness, timeliness, attendance, general motivation, and overall performance. While smartphone ownership was more common among both men and women, gender disparities were observed in phone type and usage patterns. However, there were no gender differences in access to payments through DFS. Social norms regarding access to DFS among women were generally positive, but with opportunities for improvement. Promoting women’s DFS inclusion will improve gender equity, financial inclusion as well as their work performance.