Table 1 Measures of Correlates of Gender Disparity in Lilongwe, Malawi, June–August 2017

Demographic information

• Sex

• Age

• Tribal group (for analyses, this factor was categorized as Chewa vs Other)

• District (for analyses, this factor was categorized as Lilongwe vs Other)

• Religion (for analyses, this factor was categorized as Christianity vs Other)

• Marital status

• Employment status *(for analyses, this factor was categorized as employed vs unemployed)

• Education level **(for analyses, this factor was categorized as low (primary and lower) vs high (secondary and higher))

• Income

• Transport time

• Spouse age

• Spouse employment status*

• Spouse education level**

• Spouse income

• Number of children in household

• Number of people in household

Respondents’ gender attitude

• Measured using the Gender-Equitable Men (GEM) Scale from the International Men and Gender Equality Survey (IMAGES) (48)

• For analyses, scores were categorized into high vs low gender equity

Respondent’s access to and utilization of healthcare

• Questions were from previous international studies(15, 49)

• If you could not afford healthcare, could you get financial support from your family or community?

• Have you ever been seriously ill and chosen not to seek healthcare?

For respondents’ prioritization of household members for medical treatment

• Questions were from previous international studies(50)

• Whose would you prioritize for access to medical care first?

• Measures were categorized as self, spouse, son, or daughter

Respondents’ healthcare decision-making power

• Assessed by use of the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) on Women’s Status and Empowerment

• Who usually makes decisions about healthcare for yourself?

• Who usually makes decisions about your children’s healthcare?

• Who usually makes decisions about paying for your healthcare?

Respondents’ economic decision-making power

• Assessed by use of the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) on Women’s Status and Empowerment

• Who usually makes decisions about making major household purchases (e.g. bicycles or land)?

• Who usually makes decisions about minor household purchases (e.g. food and clothing)?

• Who usually decides how the money you earn will be used?