Women’s Empowerment and Maternal Child Healthcare Services Utilization: A Logistic Model

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the impact of women’s empowerment and demographic variables on maternal-child healthcare services utilization for newborns. A cross-sectional research design was used and the study was correlational in nature. The sample comprised 225 married women of reproductive age, ranged between 21 and 49 years (M=32.13; SD=6.41). Demographic data sheet, Women’s Empowerment Index, and Healthcare Services Utilization Questionnaire that comprised questions related to Antenatal care (ANC), Postnatal care (PNC), and Place of delivery (PoD) were used to collect data. Dimensions of women’s empowerment, women’s age, age at marriage, and education appeared as statistically significant predictors of maternal child healthcare services utilization by women in three binary logistic regression models. Results of statistical analyses showed that Economic empowerment significantly predicted ANC, PNC, and PoD, whereas, Social empowerment significantly predicted PoD  only, and Psychological empowerment significantly predicted ANC and PoD. Women’s age and age at marriage significantly predicted ANC, PNC, and PoD, whereas women’s education significantly predicted PNC and PoD. Results recommend to taketangible steps for empowering women in Pakistan to ensure better utilization of maternal-child healthcare services for safeguarding children and mothers’ health.