Do women with higher autonomy seek more maternal health care? Evidence from Eritrea and Ethiopia.
Using data from the 2002 Eritrea and 2005 Ethiopia Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), this study was carried out to investigate the link between women's autonomy and maternal health care utilization in relation to socioeconomic factors. Although some dimensions of women's autonomy are significantly linked to an increased likelihood of receiving health care, they do not emerge to be mediators of the link between socioeconomic factors and use of health services for antenatal care and delivery care. In order to derive a complete understanding of the determinants of maternal health care utilization, both women's autonomy and socioeconomic indicators should be analyzed.
Woldemicael
Gebremariam
G
Demography Unit/Sociology Department, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden. gebre wm@yahoo.com
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003657:Decision Making; D003906:Developing Countries; D019017:Eritrea; D005002:Ethiopia; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008427:Maternal Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D011203:Poverty / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011247:Pregnancy; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016387:Women's Health; D014933:Women's Rights; D055815:Young Adult