Does Women’s Autonomy Have Any Roles in Reproductive Healthcare-Seeking Behavior in Rural Bangladesh?

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  In Refereed Roundtable (60 min): Table 5: Gender and Families

Abstract

This study examines whether women’s autonomy has a significant role in reproductive healthcare-seeking behavior in rural Bangladesh. Using data from the 2014 Bangladesh Demographic Health Survey (BDHS) which is a nationally representative survey of women aged 15-49 years, this study finds that women’s autonomy is significantly associated with the reproductive healthcare-seeking behaviors such as the use of a modern contraceptive method, prenatal care, and delivery by skilled birth attendants. Even after controlling for all socio-economic factors, the result indicates that women who have some say in their household decision making are more likely to use a modern contraceptive method to avoid unintended pregnancy, receive prenatal visits, and deliver their babies by skilled birth attendants during the pregnancy period. Therefore, this study can encourage policymakers, governmental and non-governmental organizations in making broader social policies to improve women’s autonomy which can help attain both gender equality and wider use of reproductive healthcare services among women.

Author

• Kaniz Fatema, University of Iowa