The association of women’s empowerment dimensions and antenatal care utilization in Ethiopia; facility based cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Women’s empowerment is a multidimensional global development goal. Women in low-income countries are often disempowered, which can lead to increased mortality and morbidity by inhibiting their access to essential maternal health care, such as antenatal care. It is impossible to d...

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Main Authors: Yonas Abebe, Asresash Demissie, Kebebe Adugna
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-04-01
Series:BMC Women's Health
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-025-03743-x
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author Yonas Abebe
Asresash Demissie
Kebebe Adugna
author_facet Yonas Abebe
Asresash Demissie
Kebebe Adugna
author_sort Yonas Abebe
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Women’s empowerment is a multidimensional global development goal. Women in low-income countries are often disempowered, which can lead to increased mortality and morbidity by inhibiting their access to essential maternal health care, such as antenatal care. It is impossible to decrease maternal mortality without sufficient and timely antenatal care. However, the association between women’s empowerment and antenatal care utilization has been understudied. Therefore, this research aims to assess the association of women’s empowerment dimensions with antenatal care use. Method A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from July 1 to August 31, 2022, in public hospitals within Jimma town, Ethiopia. Participants were 305 women who attended childbirth and postpartum services, selected by systematic random sampling. A structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were employed to determine the association between variables. Result Of 305 respondents, 301 provided complete responses, resulting in a response rate of 99.1%. Approximately 187 (62%) study participants utilized adequate antenatal care [95% CI: 56.4–67.6]. In multivariate logistic regression women’s empowerment dimensions showed statistically significant association with antenatal care utilization. High general self-efficacy [AOR = 1.89 (1.02–3.50)], high self-esteem [AOR = 3.10 (1.67–5.76)], an internal locus of control [AOR = 2.13 (1.17–3.86)], and labor work participation [AOR = 1.98 (1.06–3.72)]. All these factors were associated with increased antenatal care utilization. Conclusion Women empowerment dimensions have a positive and statistically significant association with antenatal care use. So, to improve recommended antenatal care utilization by mothers, empowerment of women by health professionals, hospitals, and other stakeholders is very important.
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spelling doaj-art-fa17c79fe6ba4a13ad3a1e52bc6fe8bc2025-08-20T03:15:10ZengBMCBMC Women's Health1472-68742025-04-0125111110.1186/s12905-025-03743-xThe association of women’s empowerment dimensions and antenatal care utilization in Ethiopia; facility based cross-sectional studyYonas Abebe0Asresash Demissie1Kebebe Adugna2Department of Midwifery, College of Health Sciences and Medicine, Dilla UniversitySchool of Nursing, Faculty of Health, Institute of Health Sciences, Jimma UniversitySchool of Nursing, Faculty of Health, Institute of Health Sciences, Jimma UniversityAbstract Background Women’s empowerment is a multidimensional global development goal. Women in low-income countries are often disempowered, which can lead to increased mortality and morbidity by inhibiting their access to essential maternal health care, such as antenatal care. It is impossible to decrease maternal mortality without sufficient and timely antenatal care. However, the association between women’s empowerment and antenatal care utilization has been understudied. Therefore, this research aims to assess the association of women’s empowerment dimensions with antenatal care use. Method A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from July 1 to August 31, 2022, in public hospitals within Jimma town, Ethiopia. Participants were 305 women who attended childbirth and postpartum services, selected by systematic random sampling. A structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were employed to determine the association between variables. Result Of 305 respondents, 301 provided complete responses, resulting in a response rate of 99.1%. Approximately 187 (62%) study participants utilized adequate antenatal care [95% CI: 56.4–67.6]. In multivariate logistic regression women’s empowerment dimensions showed statistically significant association with antenatal care utilization. High general self-efficacy [AOR = 1.89 (1.02–3.50)], high self-esteem [AOR = 3.10 (1.67–5.76)], an internal locus of control [AOR = 2.13 (1.17–3.86)], and labor work participation [AOR = 1.98 (1.06–3.72)]. All these factors were associated with increased antenatal care utilization. Conclusion Women empowerment dimensions have a positive and statistically significant association with antenatal care use. So, to improve recommended antenatal care utilization by mothers, empowerment of women by health professionals, hospitals, and other stakeholders is very important.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-025-03743-xWomen’s empowermentAntenatal care useEmpowerment dimensionsEthiopiaPostpartum
spellingShingle Yonas Abebe
Asresash Demissie
Kebebe Adugna
The association of women’s empowerment dimensions and antenatal care utilization in Ethiopia; facility based cross-sectional study
BMC Women's Health
Women’s empowerment
Antenatal care use
Empowerment dimensions
Ethiopia
Postpartum
title The association of women’s empowerment dimensions and antenatal care utilization in Ethiopia; facility based cross-sectional study
title_full The association of women’s empowerment dimensions and antenatal care utilization in Ethiopia; facility based cross-sectional study
title_fullStr The association of women’s empowerment dimensions and antenatal care utilization in Ethiopia; facility based cross-sectional study
title_full_unstemmed The association of women’s empowerment dimensions and antenatal care utilization in Ethiopia; facility based cross-sectional study
title_short The association of women’s empowerment dimensions and antenatal care utilization in Ethiopia; facility based cross-sectional study
title_sort association of women s empowerment dimensions and antenatal care utilization in ethiopia facility based cross sectional study
topic Women’s empowerment
Antenatal care use
Empowerment dimensions
Ethiopia
Postpartum
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-025-03743-x
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