Women’s Autonomy within Household as a determinant of maternal health care utilization in India: Evidence from National Family Health Survey

Context: women’s Autonomy has a significant linkage with utilization of maternal health care in India, but still women’s health especially maternal health is neglected issue. In particular how women’s autonomy within household may affect the receipt health care utilization deserves further exploration.
Method: Data on ever married women aged 15-49 from the National Family Health Survey 2005-06 third round (NFHS-3) is used analysis in this study. Three dimensions of women’s autonomy within household has been explored – decision making within household regarding how to spend money, exposure to newspaper or magazine and freedom for mobility.
Results: less than half of women reported the participation in decision making regarding how to spend money in household not having significant relationship with health care utilization. Exposure to newspapers or magazine linked to an increased likelihood of receiving antenatal and delivery care, freedom for mobility also having positive relationship with health care utilization
Conclusions: less women’s autonomy within household constrains women’s access to antenatal and delivery care The strong association of women’s education with maternal health care utilization highlights the need for took efforts to improve the girl’s education.