Abstract
BackgroundThere is limited research on how the empowerment of women and intimate partner violence (IPV) are associated with skilled birth attendance (SBA) among rural women in Uganda. Therefore, the aim of this paper was to investigate the association between women’s empowerment, their experience of IPV and SBA in rural Uganda.MethodsUsing data from the Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS), we selected 857 rural women who were in union, had given birth in the last 5 years preceding the survey and were selected for the domestic violence (DV) module. Frequency distributions were used to describe the background characteristics of the women and their partners. Pearson’s chi-squared (χ2) tests were used to investigate the associations between SBA and women’s empowerment; and partners’ and women’s socio-demographic factors including sexual violence. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to examine the association between SBA and explanatory variables.ResultsMore than half (55 %) of the women delivered under the supervision of skilled birth attendant. Women’s empowerment with respect to participation in household decision-making, property (land and house) (co)ownership, IPV, and sexual empowerment did not positively predict SBA among rural women in Uganda. Key predictors of SBA were household wealth status, partners’ education, ANC attendance and parity.ConclusionsFor enhancement of SBA in rural areas, there is a need to encourage a more comprehensive ANC attendance irrespective of number of children a woman has; and design interventions to enhance household wealth and promote men’s education.
Highlights
There is limited research on how the empowerment of women and intimate partner violence (IPV) are associated with skilled birth attendance (SBA) among rural women in Uganda
Skilled care refers to the care provided to a woman and her newborn during pregnancy, childbirth and immediately after birth by accredited and competent health care providers, who have at their disposal the necessary equipment and the support of a functioning health system, including transport and referral facilities for emergency obstetric care
We selected rural women who were in union, had given birth in the last 5 years preceding the survey and were selected for the domestic violence (DV) module
Summary
There is limited research on how the empowerment of women and intimate partner violence (IPV) are associated with skilled birth attendance (SBA) among rural women in Uganda. The aim of this paper was to investigate the association between women’s empowerment, their experience of IPV and SBA in rural Uganda. Most (99 %) maternal deaths occur in developing countries. Uganda is among the countries that did not meet the fifth millennium development goal. Her maternal mortality ratio is Skilled birth attendance (SBA) is one of the central elements for improving maternal and newborn health [5] and a key progress indicator of the MDG 5 [6, 7]. Skilled birth attendants include doctors, clinical officer/medical assistants, nurses, or midwives [6]
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