Dataset Information

Decision-making autonomy of women and other factors of anemia among married women in Ethiopia: a multilevel analysis of a countrywide survey.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Anemia is one of the world's public health problem, especially in developing nations. The majority of women of childbearing age (15-49) are affected by anemia. Women's role in the decision-making process is significant for their health and related issues such as anemia. So far, there is no evidence of women's decision-making autonomy on anemia. Consequently, this study aimed to robustly examine both individual- and group-level women's decision-making autonomy and other determinants of anemia among married women in Ethiopia.

Methods

We examined data from an Ethiopian demographic and health survey conducted in 2016. Our analysis included 9220 married women of childbearing age (15-49 years). For bivariate analysis, we applied the chi-squared (X²) test. The relationship between individual and group-level women's decision-making autonomy and anemia was assessed using multilevel binary logistic regression models while adjusting other socio-demographic and economic characteristics.

Results

In this study the magnitude of anemia was 30.5% (95% CI; 29.5-31.4). According to our multilevel analysis, group-level women's autonomy was found to be negatively related with anemia than individual-level women's autonomy (AOR = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.41-0.69). In addition, the indicator of women's wealth index at group level was a protective factor (AOR = 0.68, 95% CI =0.51-0.90) to develop anemia. Among individual-level indicators women's age (AOR = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.60-0.89), use of contraceptive (AOR = 0.66, 95% CI = 0.55-0.81), BMI (AOR = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.59-0.86) and employment status (AOR = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.79-0.98) were negatively related with anemia. While women who follow Muslim religion (AOR = 1.62, 95% CI = 1.32-1.97,), women who had five and above number of children (AOR = 93, 95% CI = 1.53-2.46), and who were pregnant (AOR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.04-1.40) were positively associated with anemia. Our final model showed that around 27% of the variability of having anemia was because of group-level differences (ICC = 0.27, P < 0.001). In addition, both individual and group-level factors account for 56.4% of the variance in the in the severity of anemia across communities (PCV = 56.4%).

Conclusions

Our study showed that empowering women within households is not only an important mechanism to reduce anemia among married women but also serves as a way to improve the lives of other women within the society.

SUBMITTER: Tiruneh FN

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8336366 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:BackgroundWomen's decision-making autonomy is very crucial for the improvement of women empowerment, and maternal, neonatal, and child healthcare utilization. As time immemorial, Ethiopian culture is largely gender stratified, and the position of women is subordinate to men in various household and health-seeking decision-making matters. However, there is a dearth of empirical evidence on women's decision-making autonomy, especially in the household and on maternal and newborn healthcare utilization. Therefore, this study assessed married women's decision-making autonomy in the household and on maternal and neonatal healthcare utilization and associated factors in Debretabor, Northwest Ethiopia.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from October 1st to 30th, 2019. A two-stage sampling technique was used to select 730 married women. Data were collected using a structured, pretested, and interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data were entered into EPI INFO 7 and analyzed by SPSS version 23. Multivariable logistic regression model was fitted to identify factors associated with women's decision-making autonomy in the household and maternal and neonatal healthcare utilization. The adjusted odds ratio with its 95% confidence interval was computed to determine the level of significance at a p-value of ≤ 0.05.ResultsA total of 730 married women were included in the analysis. Thus, three-fourths (75.1%) of women had higher decision-making autonomy on their health, neonatal health, and other socio-economic aspects. Besides, the proportion of four and above antenatal visits, delivery at a health facility, postnatal checkup, knowledge of neonatal danger signs, and appropriate health-seeking practices for sick newborns among autonomous women were 52.1%, 56.1%, 71.4%, 32%, and 80% respectively. Age greater than 35 years old (AOR = 2.08; 95% CI: 1.19, 3.62), monthly income of > 5000 ETB (AOR = 3.1; 95% CI: 1.36, 7.07), husband involvement (AOR = 2.36; 95% CI: 1.55, 3.43), and adequate knowledge of neonatal danger signs (AOR = 2.11; 95% CI: 1.4, 3.2) were factors independently associated with women's decision-making autonomy on maternal and neonatal healthcare utilization and other socio-economic affairs.ConclusionOur findings show that women's decision-making autonomy in the household and maternal and neonatal healthcare utilization was optimal. Increasing household income level, promotion of husband's involvement starting from the prenatal period, and increasing women's knowledge of maternal and neonatal danger signs will have a great role in the improvement of women's decision-making autonomy.

Project description:The notion of unmet need for family planning indicates the gap between women's contraceptive practice and their reproductive intention. Although universal access to sexual and reproductive health services including contraceptive methods is a bedrock for sustainable development goals, the unmet need for contraception is high among young women in low-income countries including Ethiopia. The unmet need for contraception is associated with unintended pregnancy which most of the time end in unsafe abortion. Hence, this study aimed to assess the determinants of unmet need for family planning among young married women in Ethiopia using nationally representative data. This study utilized secondary data collected in the 2016 Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS). A two-stage cluster sampling method was used. The analysis included a total of 2444 sexually active married young women (15-24 years). Multilevel logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify individual and community level factors associated with unmet need for contraceptives and the results were presented as adjusted odds ratio (AOR) at 95% confidence interval (CI), declaring statistical significance at a p-value <0.05 in all analyses. In this study, the prevalence of unmet need for contraceptive method among married young women was 18.4% [95% CI: (16.9, 20.0)]. Female head of the household [AOR: 1.62, CI (1.25, 2.11)], primary level of education [AOR: 1.53, CI: (1.16, 2.03)], family size ≥5 [AOR: 1.53, 95%CI: (1.22, 1.93)], undecided to have child [AOR: 2.86, 95%CI: (1.58, 5.20)] and infecund [AOR: 1.54, 95%CI: (1.08, 2.20)] were factors positively associated with unmet need for family planning. Whereas the odds of unmet need for contraceptive method was lower among women-initiated sex between 15-17 years and >17 years [AOR:0.72, 95%CI (0.53, 0.98)] and [AOR: 0.58, 95%CI: (0.40, 0.85)] respectively and community with high proportion of poverty [AOR: 0.68, 95%CI: (0.46, 0.99)]. The prevalence of unmet need for contraceptive methods among young married women was relatively high. Being female household head, age at first sexual intercourse, educational status of the woman, family size, desire for more children, and community poverty were significantly associated with unmet need for family planning. Hence, interventions targeting these special populations at the individual and community level would play a paramount role in meeting the unmet need for contraception among young married women in Ethiopia.

Project description:BackgroundStudies conducted to date in Ethiopia did not explore the spatial distribution, individual-level, and community-level factors affecting women's nonautonomy on decision to use contraceptives. Hence, this study aimed to assess the spatial distribution of women's nonautonomy on decision regarding contraceptive utilization and its determinants in Ethiopia.MethodsData were accessed from the Demographic Health Survey program official database website (https://dhsprogram.com). A weighted sample of 3,668 married reproductive-age women currently using contraceptives was included in this analysis. Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models were fitted to identify the determinants of women's nonautonomy on contraceptive utilization. Adjusted odds ratio with 95% credible interval was used to select variables that have a significant effect on nonautonomy on contraceptive utilization.ResultsA high proportion of women with nonautonomy on decision regarding contraceptive utilization was found in northern parts of Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region, Southern parts of Oromia, and Benishangul-Gumuz regions of the country. Overall, 2876 (78.40% (95% CI: 77.0%, 79.7%)) women were nonautonomous on decision regarding contraceptive utilization. In the final model, age from 35-49 (AOR (95% CI) = 0.63 (0.54, 0.72)), living in the richer households (AOR (95% CI) = 0.12 (0.03, 0.26)), being married at 18 years or above (AOR (95% CI) = 0.33 (0.19, 0.57)), and residing in an rural areas (AOR (95% CI) = 1.34 (1.01, 1.71)) and metropolitan regions (AOR (95% CI) = 0.71(0.54, 0.91)) were associated with women's nonautonomy on decision regarding contraceptive utilization.ConclusionsIn Ethiopia, the spatial distribution of women's nonautonomy on decision about contraceptive utilization was nonrandom. More than three-fourths of married reproductive-age women in Ethiopia are nonautonomous on decision regarding contraceptive utilization. Region, residence, current age, age at marriage, and wealth index were statistically associated with women's nonautonomy on decision regarding contraceptive utilization.

Project description:BackgroundAfrica is the most severely affected area, accounting for more than two-thirds of the people living with HIV. In sub-Saharan Africa, more than 85% of new HIV-infected adolescents and 63% of all new HIV infections are accounted for by women. Ethiopia has achieved a 50% incidence rate reduction. However, mortality rate reduction is slow, as the estimated prevalence in 2021 is 0.8%. In sub-Saharan Africa, heterosexual transmission accounts for the majority of HIV infections, and women account for 58% of people living with HIV. Most of these transmissions took place during marriage. Thus, this study aimed to explore the spatial variation of premarital HIV testing across regions of Ethiopia and identify associated factors.MethodsA cross-sectional study design was employed. A total of 10223 weighted samples were taken from individual datasets of the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey. STATA version 14 and ArcGIS version 10.8 software's were used for analysis. A multilevel mixed-effect generalized linear model was fitted, and an adjusted prevalence Ratio with a 95% CI and p-value < 0.05 was used to declare significantly associated factors. Multilevel models were compared using information criteria and log-likelihood. Descriptive and spatial regression analyses (geographical weighted regression and ordinary least squares analysis) were conducted. Models were compared using AICc and adjusted R-squared. The local coefficients of spatial explanatory variables were mapped.ResultsIn spatial regression analysis, secondary and above education level, richer and above wealth quintile, household media exposure, big problem of distance to health facility, having high risky sexual behaviour and knowing the place of HIV testing were significant explanatory variables for spatial variation of premarital HIV testing among married women. While in the multilevel analysis, age, education level, religion, household media exposure, wealth index, khat chewing, previous history of HIV testing,age at first sex, HIV related knowledge, HIV related stigma, distance to health facility, and community level media exposure were associated with premarital HIV testing among married women.Conclusions and recommendationPremarital HIV testing had a significant spatial variation across regions of Ethiopia. A statistically significant clustering of premarital HIV testing was observed at Addis Ababa, Dire Dawa, North Tigray and some parts of Afar and Amhara regions. Therefore area based prevention and interventional strategies are required at cold spot areas to halt the role of heterosexual transmission in HIV burden. Moreover, the considering the spatial explanatory variables effect in implementations of these strategies rather than random provision of service would make regional health care delivery systems more cost-effective.

Project description:Objective The autonomy of young women in healthcare decision-making has been reported to be lower, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries. This study was conducted to estimate the magnitude and the factors associated with autonomy in healthcare decision-making among youth in East African countries. Design and setting A population-based, cross-sectional study was conducted with data from the most recent Demographic and Health Surveys conducted in 11 East African countries (Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Comoros, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe) conducted from 2011 to 2019. Participants Weighted sample of 24 135 women aged 15–24 years. Primary outcomes Healthcare decision-making autonomy. Methods A multi-level logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with women’s autonomy in making decisions about their healthcare. Statistical significance was determined using an adjusted OR with 95% CI at a p value less than 0.05. Results Healthcare decision-making autonomy among youth in East Africa was 68.37% (95% CI 68%, 70%). In a multivariable analysis older aged youths (20–24 years) (adjusted OR (AOR)=1.27; 95% CI 1.19, 1.36), youths having an occupation (AOR=1.34; 95% CI 1.25, 1.53), having employed husband (AOR=1.12 95% CI 1.00, 1.26), exposure to media (AOR=1.18 95% CI 1.08, 1.29), rich wealth index 1.18 (AOR=1.18 95% CI 1.08, 1.29), female household head, youths having secondary and higher education, youths whose husband had secondary and higher education, and country were significant predictors of healthcare decision making autonomy. Conclusion Almost one-third of young women have no autonomy in healthcare decision-making. Older youth, being educated, having an educated husband, having an occupation, having an employed husband, exposure to media, female household head, rich wealth index and country are significant predictors for being autonomous in healthcare decision-making. Public health interventions should target uneducated and unemployed youth, poor families and those without media exposure to increase autonomy in health decisions.

Project description:ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to determine the association between women's decision-making power and utilisation of maternal healthcare services (MHS) among Bangladeshi women.SettingsThis is a nationally representative survey that encompassed Dhaka, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Chittagong, Khulna, Barisal and Sylhet in Bangladesh. Sample households were selected by a two-stage stratification technique. First, 207 clusters in urban areas and 393 in rural areas were selected for 600 enumeration areas with proportional probability. In the second stage, on average 30 households were selected systematically from the enumeration areas. Finally, 17 989 households were selected for the survey of which 96% were interviewed successfully.ParticipantsCross-sectional data on 4309 non-pregnant women were collected from Bangladesh demographic and health survey 2014. Decision-making status on respondent's own healthcare, large household purchases, having a say on child's healthcare and visiting to family or relatives were included in the analysis.ResultsPrevalence of at least four antenatal attendance, facility delivery and postnatal check-up were respectively 32.6% (95% CI 31.2 to 34), 40.6% (95% CI 39.13 to 42.07) and 66.3% (95% CI 64.89 to 67.71). Compared with women who could make decisions alone, women in the urban areas who had to decide on their healthcare with husband/partner had 20% (95% CI 0.794 to 1.799) higher odds of attending at least four antenatal visits and those in rural areas had 35% (95% CI 0.464 to 0.897) lower odds of attending at least four antenatal visits. Women in urban and rural areas had respectively 43% (95% CI 0.941 to 2.169) and 28% (95% CI 0.928 to 1.751) higher odds of receiving postnatal check-up when their health decisions were made jointly with their husband/partner.ConclusionNeither making decisions alone, nor deciding jointly with husband/partner was always positively associated with the utilisation of all three types of MHS. This study concludes that better spousal cooperation on household and health issues could lead to higher utilisation of MHS services.

Project description:BACKGROUND:Anemia is a major global public health problem that had tremendous impacts on human health, social and economic development. African countries contribute to the highest-burden of anemia among women, particularly in adolescent females and young women. Anemia among young women remains a public health problem in most parts of Africa, including Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence and determinants of anemia among young women in Ethiopia. METHODS:A secondary data analysis was conducted based on the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) data. A total weighted sample of 5796 young women (15-24 years) was included in this study. We employed a multilevel analysis to assess factors associated with anemia since the EDHS has hierarchical nature. Deviance, Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) and Median Odds Ratio (MOR) were used for model comparison as well as for assessing model fitness. Variables with a p-value of less than 0.20 at bivariable multilevel analysis were considered for the multivariable multilevel analysis. In the multivariable multilevel analysis variables with p-value ? 0.05 were declared to be a significant factor associated with anemia, and the Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with the 95% Confidence Interval (CI) were reported to assess the strength and direction of the association. RESULTS:The overall prevalence of anemia among young women was 21.7% (95%CI = 20.7%, 22.8%). In the multivariable multilevel binary logistic regression analysis; being Muslim religion follower [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.31, 95%CI = 1.07, 1.70] and being protestant religion follower [AOR = 1.31; 95%CI = 1.01, 1.71], being rural dweller [AOR = 1.34; 95%CI = 1.02, 1.78], and being married [AOR = 1.46; 95%CI = 1.22, 1.74] were significantly associated with higher odds of anemia among young women. While, modern contraceptive use (AOR = 0.66; 95%CI = 0.53, 0.83) were significantly associated with lower odds of anemia among young women. CONCLUSION:In this study, the prevalence of anemia among young women was high. Being a follower of Muslim and protestant religions, being married women, modern contraceptive use and being from the rural area were found to be significant determinants of anemia among young women. Therefore, giving special attention to these high-risk groups and distributing modern contraceptives for those in need of it could decrease this devastating public health problem in young women.