Abstract:
Women’s autonomy encompasses the ability to obtain information and make
decisions about one’s own concerns; and have some control over finances and freedom of
movement. Women’s autonomy in healthcare decision making is central to the improvements of
maternal and child health. Little is known about the women’s autonomy and its associated
factors on maternal health care service utilization in Nekemte town, East Wollega zone, Oromia
regional state, Ethiopia.
Objectives: The objective of this study is to assess the women’s autonomy of deciding on their
maternal health service utilization and associated factors in Nekemte town.
Methods: Community based cross-sectional study was conducted on 410 married women having
under two years children from February 21-March 20, 2020. Women’s autonomy was measured
by using the composite index of three constructs: Control over finance, decision making power
and extent of freedom of movement. Single population proportion formula and systematic
random sampling technique were used to get required sample. The list of eligible mothers who
live in the selected kebeles was obtained from health extension worker family data, sampling
frame corresponding to house number was prepared, then simple random sampling technique
was used. For qualitative data the sample size was purposively determined. Face to face
interview was used to collect data using structured questionnaires adapted from similar studies.
Descriptive statistics, binary and multiple logistic regression analysis were conducted by using
SPSS version 22 analytical software to identify factors associated with autonomy of women.
Result: Out of the total 410 sampled women, interviews were conducted with 401 of them and
the response rate was 97.8%.
More than half (57.1%) had higher autonomy of decision making regarding their maternal
health service utilization.
Conclusion: women’s autonomy of decision making plays a central role on their maternal health
service utilization and still needs strong focus.
