scholarly journals Women’s empowerment and contraceptive use: a community-based survey in peri-urban Kumasi, Ghana

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 1512 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith Kyei Ansong ◽  
Easmon Otupiri ◽  
Joana Apenkwa ◽  
Patrick Kuma Aboagye
Keyword(s):  
Contraceptive Use ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Multivariate Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Data Entry ◽  
Women's Empowerment ◽  
Women’S Empowerment ◽  
Outcome Variable ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Living Children ◽  
Contraceptive Uptake

Background: Many reasons have been used to explain why contraceptive uptake in Ghana has not been as impressive as desired. One area that has not received enough attention is that of women’s empowerment. This study sought a better understanding of how women’s empowerment influences contraceptive uptake. Methods: A structured questionnaire was used to interview 761 currently married or cohabiting women aged 15-49 years who were residents of Asawasi and Oforikrom for at least two years and consented to be part of the study. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to link the exposure variables: the three measures of empowerment and other variables such as age, marital status, religion, education, ethnicity, income and number of living children with the outcome variable (current or future contraceptive use). Excel was used for data entry and STATA for analyses. Results: In total, 29% of respondents were empowered in all the three categories used to measure empowerment in this study; 34% were empowered in two of the three categories, 29% were empowered in only one category while 9% of the women were not empowered in any of the categories. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, the odds of empowered women using contraceptives was significantly higher than the odds of women who were not empowered. Conclusions: Provision of economic interventions to empower and uplift conditions of women is needed to bring change in the economic status of their families and remove their dependence upon family members. This would make women in peri-urban Kumasi economically independent in making contraceptive choices and decisions, which would help in the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals: One (to end poverty in all its forms everywhere) and Five (to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls).

scholarly journals Women’s Empowerment as a Mitigating Factor for Improved Antenatal Care Quality despite Impact of 2014 Ebola Outbreak in Guinea

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (21) ◽  
pp. 8172
Author(s):  
Laura K. Merrell ◽  
Sarah R. Blackstone
Keyword(s):  
Antenatal Care ◽  
Contraceptive Use ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Women's Empowerment ◽  
Care Quality ◽  
Women’S Empowerment ◽  
Pregnancy Morbidity ◽  
The Republic ◽  
The Relationship

Improving maternal outcomes and reducing pregnancy morbidity and mortality are critical public health goals. The provision of quality antenatal care (ANC) is one method of doing so. Increasing women’s empowerment is associated with positive women’s health outcomes, including the adequate timing and amount of ANC use. However, little is known about the relationship between women’s empowerment and quality ANC care. Despite a history of political instability, low women’s equality and poor maternal health, the Republic of Guinea has committed to improving the status of women and access to health. However, the 2014 Ebola outbreak may have had a negative impact on achieving these goals. This study sought to examine factors in the relationship between women’s empowerment and the receipt of quality ANC (indicated by the number of health components) within the context of the Ebola outbreak. This study conducted multiple logistic regressions examining associations between covariates and the number of ANC components received using data from the 2012 and 2018 Guinea Demographic Health Surveys. Several aspects of women’s empowerment (healthcare decision-making, literacy/access to magazines, monogamous relationship status, contraceptive use, socio-economic status/employment) were significantly linked with the receipt of a greater number of ANC components, highlighting the importance of women’s empowerment in accessing quality maternity care.

scholarly journals The Effect of Women’s Empowerment in the Utilisation of Family Planning in Western Ethiopia: A Structural Equation Modelling Approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (12) ◽  
pp. 6550
Author(s):  
Muluken Dessalegn Muluneh ◽  
Lyn Francis ◽  
Mhiret Ayele ◽  
Sintayehu Abebe ◽  
Misrak Makonnen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Family Planning ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Contraceptive Use ◽  
Women's Empowerment ◽  
Women’S Empowerment ◽  
Household Decision ◽  
Planning Methods ◽  
Western Ethiopia ◽  
Family Planning Methods

This study examines the associations between women’s empowerment and family planning use in Jimma Zone, Western Ethiopia. A total of 746 randomly selected married women of reproductive age were interviewed. The data were employed by structural equation modelling (SEM) to investigate the complex and multidimensional pathways to show women’s empowerment domains in family planning utilisation. Results of the study revealed that 72% of married women had used family planning. Younger women, having access to information, having access to health facilities and being aware about family planning methods, living in a rural area, having an older partner and increased household decision-making power were associated with using family planning methods. Women’s empowerment is an important determinant of contraceptive use. Women’s empowerment dimensions included increased household decision-making power, socio-demographic variables and having access to information about family planning and accessible health facilities. These were found to be important determinants of contraceptive use. Future interventions should focus on integrating women’s empowerment into family planning programming, particularly in enhancing women’s autonomy in decision making. Further research is warranted on the socio-cultural context of women that influences women’s empowerment and family planning use to establish an in-depth understanding and equity of women in society.

Positive Correlation Between Women’s Status and Intimate Partner Violence Suggests Violence Backlash in Mwanza, Tanzania

2021 ◽  
pp. 088626052110500
Author(s):  
Joseph A. Kilgallen ◽  
Susan B. Schaffnit ◽  
Yusufu Kumogola ◽  
Anthony Galura ◽  
Mark Urassa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Women's Empowerment ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
Women’S Empowerment ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Increased Risk

Urbanization in low and middle-income nations is characterized by economic and demographic shifts largely understood to be beneficial to women’s empowerment. These changes include increased education and wage-labor opportunities, a disruption of traditional patrilocal residence systems, and reductions in spousal age gap and fertility. However, such changes may drive a “violence backlash,” with men increasing intimate partner violence (IPV) in efforts to challenge women’s shifting status. To date, tests of this idea primarily relate to women’s changing economic status, with less known about the demographic correlates of IPV in urbanizing settings. Addressing this, we conducted a cross-sectional study of IPV behavior and attitudes in an urbanizing community in Mwanza, northern Tanzania ( n = 317). Consistent with a violence backlash, IPV was reported more often among women educated at higher levels than their husband, and women earning similar, rather than lower, wages to their husband were more likely to report that he condones IPV. These findings were independent of women’s absolute education and income. Furthermore, less frequent paternal kin contact, and relatively small spousal age gaps, generally understood to boost women’s empowerment, were associated with an increased risk of experiencing IPV. Less frequent paternal kin contact was also associated with an increased likelihood that a husband condones IPV. Contrary to our predictions, relatively lower fertility, generally linked to higher women’s empowerment, did not predict IPV behavior and women with high, rather than low, fertility were more likely to report that their husband condones IPV. Overall, our results support the notion of a violence backlash corresponding to economic changes for women that accompany urbanization. In contrast, demographic changes associated with urbanization have more variable relationships. Drawing on these results, we suggest future research avenues for better understanding the vulnerability of women to IPV in urbanizing settings.

DESIRE FOR MORE CHILDREN, CONTRACEPTIVE USE AND UNMET NEED FOR FAMILY PLANNING IN A REMOTE AREA OF BALI, INDONESIA

2010 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 549-562 ◽  
Author(s):  
MELLISSA WITHERS ◽  
MEGUMI KANO ◽  
GDE NGURAH INDRAGUNA PINATIH
Keyword(s):  
Family Planning ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Contraceptive Use ◽  
Unmet Need ◽  
Multivariate Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Access To Health Services ◽  
The Past ◽  
Access To Health ◽  
Living Children

SummaryExploring fertility preferences in relation to contraceptive use can increase the understanding of future reproductive behaviour and unmet family planning needs. This knowledge can help assist women in meeting their reproductive goals. The influences on the desire for more children and current contraceptive use were examined among 1528 married women of reproductive age in an isolated community in Bali, Indonesia, using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Women who were younger, had fewer living children, had given birth in the past year and had regular access to health services were more likely to desire children. Being older, having fewer living children, not having regular access to health services, having given birth in the past year and having the desire for more children were associated with a lower likelihood of using contraception. Women with regular access to health care are more likely to desire more children, probably because they are confident in their ability to have successful birth outcomes. However, specialized clinics or family planning outreach workers may be required to reduce barriers to service utilization among some groups. The findings of this study identify key target populations for family planning, including older women and postpartum women – groups that may not perceive themselves to be at risk for unintended pregnancy. Meeting unmet need for family planning among these groups could help women meet their fertility goals, as well as reduce maternal morbidity and mortality.

scholarly journals Micro-finance and Women Empowerment

2008 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Puspa Raj Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Economic Status ◽  
Women's Empowerment ◽  
Women’S Empowerment ◽  
Large Set ◽  
Household Decision ◽  
Women's Participation ◽  
Credit Programs ◽  
Small Change ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Micro Credit

This paper examines the effects of women’s participation in group-based micro-credit pro-grams on a large set of qualitative responses to questions that characterize women’s autonomy and gender relations within the household. The data come from a special survey carried out in hill and tarai in 2004-2006 of Nepal. The results are consistent with the view that women’s participation in micro-credit programs helps to increase women’s empowerment. Credit program participation leads to women taking a greater role in household decision-making, having greater access to financial and economic resources, having greater social networks, having greater bargaining power compared with their husbands, and having greater freedom of mobility. Female credit also tended to increase spousal communication in general about family planning and parenting concerns. Ecologically, the higher impact on women’s empowerment was noticed in terai. The reason may be relatively lower social and economic status of terai women at the time of program initiation compared to that of hills. As a result, even a small change in their status would get reflected distinctly. The Journal of Nepalese Business Studies Vol. IV, No. 1 (2007) pp. 16-27

WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT, HOUSEHOLD STATUS AND CONTRACEPTION USE IN GHANA

2016 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 423-434 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah R. Blackstone
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Contraceptive Use ◽  
Household Head ◽  
Unmet Need ◽  
Women's Empowerment ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Wife Beating ◽  
Women’S Empowerment ◽  
Contraception Use ◽  
Unmet Need For Contraception

SummaryGender inequality is often cited as a barrier to improving women’s sexual and reproductive health outcomes, including contraceptive use, in low- and middle-income countries such as those in sub-Saharan Africa. To date there is limited, recent, evidence available regarding women’s empowerment, household status and contraceptive use in Ghana. The objective of this study was to investigate whether women’s empowerment and status in the household were associated with contraceptive use and unmet need for contraception using the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey. The study sample consisted of 1828 women aged 15–49. Women’s empowerment was measured based on two composite indexes created by the DHS: attitudes towards intimate partner violence and decision-making. Women’s status in the home was measured using indicators of work status, relationship to household head, control over monetary earnings and land ownership. Decision-making was found to be positively associated with contraceptive use and not having unmet need for contraception. Women who justified wife beating in one or more instances were less likely to use contraception, and more likely to have unmet need for contraception. Current or past employment and higher levels of male partner education were associated with contraceptive use. This study indicates that women’s empowerment and household status are influential for contraceptive indicators. Future interventions aimed at improving contraceptive uptake and use should promote women’s empowerment, i.e. decision-making, self-worth and education.

scholarly journals Variations in modern contraceptive uptake and its correlates in South West and North East Nigeria: a comparative analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 2852
Author(s):  
Funmilola F. Oyinlola ◽  
Samson O. Bamiwuye ◽  
Stephen A. Adebowale ◽  
Opeyemi O. Ekundayo ◽  
Benjamin B. Ilesanmi
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Sexual And Reproductive Health ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Outcome Variable ◽  
Modern Contraceptive ◽  
Women Of Reproductive Age ◽  
North East ◽  
South West ◽  
Living Children ◽  
Contraceptive Uptake

Background: Family planning programs are implemented specifically to address the sexual and reproductive health challenges of women of childbearing age but these interventions are yet to address regional differences in modern contraceptive usage in Nigeria. Hence, this study aimed to examine correlates of modern contraceptive uptake in South West and North Eastern, Nigeria.Methods: A cross-sectional survey data for women aged 15-49 years was extracted from Nigeria demographic and health surveys 2018 (NDHS). Data analyses were based on a weighted sample of 10,907 (North East= 5406 and South West = 5501) women of reproductive age. The outcome variable was modern contraceptive use. The main explanatory variables were age, employment status, religion, Number of living children, education, and marital status. Frequency distribution, Chi-square test, and binary logistic regression were used for data analysis (α=0.05).Results: The result showed the mean age of women of reproductive age in South West and North East to be 32years and 30 years respectively. More women in South West used modern contraceptive than women in North East. About 91.5% and 75.8% of women in North East and South West respectively did not used any modern method. The result showed that, in the South West, number of living children (OR:4.06, CI: 2.794-5.921), education (OR:1.35, CI: 1.045-1.754) and wealth index (OR:1.77, CI: 1.053-2.973) increased the odds of contraceptive uptake, while maternal age (OR:0.52, CI: 0.282-0.965), religion (OR:0.25, CI: 0.184-0.347) and place of residence (OR:0.68, CI: 0.504-0.916) significantly reduced the odds of modern contraceptive uptake in North East.Conclusions: This study concludes that there are regional variations in uptake and predictors of modern contraceptives use in Nigeria. Therefore, sexual and reproductive health interventions that considers the study’s significant variables should be put in place to increase uptake.

scholarly journals Men’s Attitude Towards Contraception and Sexuality, Women’s Empowerment, and Demand Satisfied for Family Planning in India

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iván Mejía-Guevara ◽  
Beniamino Cislaghi ◽  
Gary L. Darmstadt
Keyword(s):  
Family Planning ◽  
Contraceptive Use ◽  
Unmet Need ◽  
Household Survey ◽  
Women's Empowerment ◽  
Protective Role ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Women’S Empowerment ◽  
Standard Deviation Increase ◽  
The Right

Whilst the prevalence of unmet need and contraceptive use remained unchanged for 10 years (between 2005–2015) in India, gender restrictive norms and power imbalances also have persisted, preventing married women from meeting their family planning desires. Data for this study are from the 2015–6 National Family Household Survey, which contains information on fertility preferences and family planning for women in reproductive age. As a proxy for men’s attitudinal norms, we aggregated men’s perceptions regarding contraception (contraception is women’s business, women who use contraception may become promiscuous) and control over their wife (if his wife refuses to have sex, men have the right to deny financial support, have sex with another woman, or beat wife) at district level. Using a three-level random intercepts model, we assessed individual and contextual-level associations of men’s attitudinal norms and met need for contraception among sexually active women (aged 15–49) with any demand for family planning, while adjusting for women’s empowerment indicators [education, job status, and adult marriage] and individual demographic factors. Our results indicate that men’s attitudinal norms are negatively associated with women’s contraceptive use; for instance, a 1 standard deviation increase in the proportion of men who believe that contraception is women’s business was associated with a 12% reduced likelihood of contraceptive use (OR = 0.88, 95% CI 0.82–0.95). Similar associations remained or were stronger after considering only modern methods, or when excluding female sterilization. Furthermore, our contextual effects analysis revealed that women’s higher education or wealth did not improve contraceptive uptake in communities with strong attitudinal norms, but working women or women married as children were more likely to use contraception in those communities. Our results suggest that men’s attitudinal norms may be dominating over women’s empowerment regarding family planning choices among reproductive age women. However, employment appeared to play a strong protective role associated with women’s contraceptive use. It is important for programs seeking to transform gender equality and empower women in making contraceptive choices to consider women’s employment opportunities and to also address male attitudinal norms in the context of the ecosystem in which men and women coexist and interact.

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