Women's autonomy and maternal health care utilization among young ever-married women in Nigeria

Abayomi Folorunso Awoleye, Obafemi Awolowo University
Kazeem Olalekan Ayodeji, Obafemi Awolowo University
Adeola Ruth Adegbite, Obafemi Awolowo University
Temitope Remilekun Ebunola, Obafemi Awolowo University
Elhakim A. Ibrahim, Obafemi Awolowo University

In Nigeria, the lifetime risk of death from pregnancy or childbirth complications is 1 in 30. This risk is particularly higher among young women, and considering the public health implication of women status, this study aims to examine the relationship between women’s autonomy and maternal health care utilization among young ever married women in Nigeria. Analysis was restricted to 4,996 young ever married women (age 15-24), who had at least one live birth in five years preceding the 2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey. Associations were explored using binary logistic regression. Young women with low autonomy are less likely to have four or more ANC visits (OR=0.35:CI:0.29-0.43) and delivered at health facility (OR=0.3:CI:0.27-0.39). The study underscores the need to empower young women to enable them achieve high level of autonomy, because of its implication for maternal healthcare utilization.