Autonomy in family planning decision-making and its predictors among married women: A cross-sectional study at maternal and child health Centre Nawabshah.

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the factors influencing family planning use among married women by assessing their autonomy of decision-making regarding family planning, identifying household predictors of this autonomy, and determining the association between reproductive health services and decision-making power. Study Design: Analytical Cross-sectional study. Setting: It was conducted at married women visiting MCH and Family Planning Centre at Nawabshah Sindh. Period: January 2025 to March 2025. Methods: A total of 345 married women were selected who visited MCH and Family Planning Centre at Nawabshah Sindh. The selection of the sample was done by using a consecutive sampling technique. Researchers collected data using structured and pre-tested questionnaires through Google Forms. Binary logistic regression and multiple logistic regression analysis were used to identify the associated factors and the odds ratio with 95% CI was computed to assess the strength of the association. Results: Overall only (19.4%) of the married women were found to have decision-making power in family planning. Women of graduate level of education [AOR: 7.156, 95% CI: (1.11 – 48.37)], husband’s secondary education [AOR: 0.220, 95% CI: (0.05 – 0.76)], husbands who were shopkeepers [AOR: 4.891, 95% CI: (1.57 – 15.87)], monthly income >100,000 [AOR: 32.06, 95% CI: (1.94 – 1498)] were significantly associated with women decision-making power in family planning. Conclusion: In this study, women had low decision-making power in family planning use. Women and their husband’s formal education, and husband’s occupational status, and monthly income had effects on women’s decision-making power.