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Factors influencing women's autonomy in healthcare decision-making: Evidence from the Bangladesh Demographic Health Survey

Corresponding Author : Shahnaz Haque (shahnazh31@gmail.com)

Authors : Chowdhury Abdullah-Al-Baki (baki-eco@sust.edu)

Keywords : Health Care, Women, Autonomy, Socioeconomic Factors, Demographic Factors

Abstract :

Health is regarded as an important index of human development as well as economic development. Butthe health of women is often neglected which can affect child health as well as maternal health. Evidence suggests that in many developing countries, the socio- economic factors limit women’s decision- making power regarding their own health.This study aims to find out the factors which influence women’s autonomy in decision-making regarding their own health and also analyze the status of such autonomy by using data from Bangladesh Demographic Health Survey (BDHS) 2004, 2007, 2011and 2014. The multivariate logistic regression analysis has been used to identify the factors independently associated with women’s health care decision making autonomy. The result shows that employment (AOR-1.34), higher education (AOR-1.51) and media exposure (watching TV; AOR=1.41 and reading newspaper; AOR-1.2) become very significant predictors of such autonomy. It is also found thatin 2014, among women, 2.38 times more likely to have autonomy in comparison to 2004.Results advocatethat women’s educationand involvement in thejob market make them empowered andenhance their autonomy to makea decision about own health.

Published on December 31st, 2019 in Vol 30, No 2, Social Sciences