Universal Journal of Public Health Vol. 12(3), pp. 508 - 514
DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2024.120308
Reprint (PDF) (456Kb)

Women's Decision-Making Autonomy and Use of Maternal Healthcare Services among Filipino Women

Camille Jane Salvador , Nasser B. Ebrahim ^*
Department of Public Health, Keimyung University, Republic of Korea

ABSTRACT

We examined the association between women's decision-making autonomy and the use of maternal healthcare services among Filipino women. Adequate access to maternal services is essential for optimal health and women's well-being during pregnancy and childbirth. Maternal healthcare services such as antenatal care, skilled birth attendance, and delivery at a health facility are crucial in preventing maternal mortality. Women's decision-making autonomy plays a vital role in the utilization of maternal healthcare services. For the study, we used the Philippines Demographic and Health Survey 2022 dataset (n=7136). Survey design effects were accounted for, and sampling weights were applied. Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regressions were run in SPSS ver. 27.0 to analyze the data. The results showed that most Filipino women had 4 or more antenatal care (ANC) visits, gave birth in a health facility, and received the assistance of skilled health personnel during delivery. Also, the majority of Filipino women had high decision-making autonomy. Women with high levels of decision-making autonomy exhibited significantly higher odds of having 4 or more ANC visits than women with fewer ANC visits. However, no significant association was observed between women's decision-making autonomy and skilled birth attendance or health-facility delivery. Among the sociodemographic factors, education, wealth index, and region were significantly associated with maternal healthcare service use. Thus, women's empowerment is essential in enhancing maternal healthcare utilization. Moreover, to achieve equitable maternal health care service use, it is important to target poor women and women with low levels of education in the Philippines.

KEYWORDS
Women, Decision-Making Autonomy, Maternal Health, Maternal Healthcare Services, Asia, Philippines

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Camille Jane Salvador , Nasser B. Ebrahim , "Women's Decision-Making Autonomy and Use of Maternal Healthcare Services among Filipino Women," Universal Journal of Public Health, Vol. 12, No. 3, pp. 508 - 514, 2024. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2024.120308.

(b). APA Format:
Camille Jane Salvador , Nasser B. Ebrahim (2024). Women's Decision-Making Autonomy and Use of Maternal Healthcare Services among Filipino Women. Universal Journal of Public Health, 12(3), 508 - 514. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2024.120308.