Involvement of married women less than 45 years of age in decision-making regarding household and reproductive activities

Abstract

Background: Women’s involvement in decision-making in household matters and reproductive activities like contraception has a significant impact on their health and life. Women contribute many duties and responsibilities of the family but are not equally empowered in decision-making due to patriarchal structures. Aims and Objectives: This study aims to study the involvement of married women in decision-making regarding household and reproductive activities. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional type of study conducted from January 2019 to December 2019 in the rural field practice area of Government Medical College, Amritsar. A list of all households with women of reproductive age (15–44 years) in the village was prepared by numbering them. A sample of 145 women was drawn by systematic randomization according to proportion in Census 2011. One hundred and thirty married women were interviewed for household/reproductive activities after taking an informed written consent. Data were collected on a semi-structured, pre-designed questionnaire by interviewing the respondents. Results: About 32.1% of women were illiterate. About 21.4% of women were working. About 79.2% of women participated in decision-making concerning important household matters. In majority of women (76.5%), decision of continuing/aborting an unplanned pregnancy was taken jointly. Women’s educational status is significantly related to the number of children they have. Conclusion: The present study concludes that women are less involved in household and even in activities for their personal life, hence need empowerment.