Trends in maternal health facilities utilization and women’s autonomy in Nigeria (2013‐2018): Attainment of sustainable development goals‐5
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Maternal health has emerged as a global priority because of a significant gap in the status of the
mother’s wellbeing between the developed and the less developed countries. Women’s equality and
empowerment are one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, aimed at ending and eliminating all
forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls both in public and private spheres. The
Decision‐making power of women is one of the essential factors which influence maternal healthcare
service utilization. This study aims to assess the association between women’s autonomy and the use of
healthcare facilities for delivery in Nigeria. In all, a total of (n = 19,654), 2013 NDHS and (n = 21,340),
2018 NDHS women were analyzed in this study. The association of the socioeconomic and demographic
variables, women’s autonomy, and healthcare utilization was analyzed using Pearson’s chi‐square test in
the bivariate and binary logistic regressions. Bivariate analysis indicated that all the background factors
across the five years preceding the survey have a significant association with the women’s autonomy
during their last pregnancy (P < 0.001). The utilization of healthcare facilities was found to be high and
encouraging among Nigerian women. The participation of women in the decision‐making process
regarding healthcare should be increased for better utilization of healthcare facilities for delivery in
Nigeria. These findings made, are based on the recommendations which provide women with equal
opportunity of having access to education, health care, decent work, and decision‐making processes,
which will fuel sustainable economies and humanity at large for all ages in Nigeria.
Keywords
H Social Sciences (General), HQ The family. Marriage. Woman