Married Women Decision-Making Autonomy on Maternal and Neonatal Healthcare Utilization and Associated Factors in Debretabor, Northwest Ethiopia

Background: Women decision-making autonomy is very crucial for the improvement of maternal, neonatal, and child healthcare utilization. However, there is limited evidence on women decision-making autonomy on maternal and neonatal health in the study area. Therefore, this study assessed married women decision-making autonomy on maternal and neonatal healthcare utilization and associated factors in Debretabor, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from October 1st to 30th, 2019. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 730 married women. A structured, pretested, and interviewer-administered questionnaire was employed. 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 decision-making autonomy on maternal and neonatal healthcare utilization. Odds ratio with 95 % confidence interval was computed to determine the level of significance. Result: Three-fourths (75.1%) of women had higher decision-making autonomy regarding their health, neonatal health, and other social and economic aspects. Besides, the proportion of at least four 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 (AOR=2.08; 95%CI: 1.19, 3.62), monthly income of 5000 ETB and above (AOR=3.1; 95%CI: 1.36, 7.07), husband involvement (AOR=2.36; 95%CI: 1.55, 3.43) and knowledge of neonatal danger signs (AOR=2.11; 95%CI: 1.4, 3.2) were factors independently associated with women decision-making autonomy on maternal and neonatal healthcare utilization. Conclusion: Our findings show that women decision-making autonomy on maternal and neonatal healthcare utilization was optimal. Increasing the household income level through different means, the promotion of husbands involvement, and increasing women knowledge of maternal and neonatal danger signs will have a great role in the improvement of women decision-making autonomy.