Abstract:
Background: Women's health care service utilization decision making autonomy is defined as the ability of women to make decisions on their freedom of movement, extent of decision making power and their financial control without seeking permission from other. So, Assessing healthcare service utilization decision making autonomy improve women’s decision making autonomy in family and community as well.
Objective: To assess health care service utilization decision making autonomy and associated factors among married women of Ambo town, West Shoa zone, Oromia, Ethiopia, 2022.
Methods: Community based cross sectional study design supplemented by qualitative study has been conducted among 404 married women of Ambo town, West Shoa zone, Oromia, Ethiopia, 2022. Data has been collected by interviewer administered questionnaires. Variables with P-value 0.2 in bivariate analysis were selected for multivariable regression. Odds ratios along with 95% CI were used to determine the presence of association. For qualitative part thematic analysis was used. Finally, variables with P-value ≤ 0.05 declared as statistically significant. Data was presented through chart, table, graph, figures and narrative text.
Result: It was determined that 305(77.2%) of married women have health care service utilization decision making autonomy. Women’s average monthly income 3000ETB-6000ETB (AOR =3.418(1.731-6.747)), had no regular access to money (AOR =0.193(0.044-0.848), didn’t decide on their money earnings (AOR =0.123(0.031-0.484)), self-employee husband (AOR = 0.379(0.149-0.963)), and husband didn’t discuss with health care provider about health care (AOR=0.450(0.218-0.929)) were identified as associated factors with women’s health care service utilization decision making autonomy.
Conclusion: This study revealed that about three fourth of married women have high autonomy on health care service utilization decision-making. Women’s average monthly income, no regular access to money, didn’t decide on their money earnings, self-employee husband and husband not discussing with health care provider were factors associated with women’s health care service utilization decision making autonomy. As a result, all stakeholders involved in married women’s health care service utilization decision making autonomy should better evaluate these factors for improved healthcare service utilization of married women
