Maternal autonomy and its influence on pregnancy outcome in India

Abstract

ObjectiveThis study aims to examine the influence of women's autonomy on pregnancy outcome (birth weight and birth size).MethodThis is a secondary data analysis of the 2005–2006 National Health and Family Survey (NFHS‐III) of India. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were performed.ResultThe average age of women included in this study was 25.9 ± 4.9 years. Although, the mean birth weight was 2835 ± 666.4 g, nearly 20% of the index children were born LBW (<2500 g). Lower maternal age, illiteracy, poor socioeconomic status and rural households were significant predictors of both LBW and smaller birth size as reported by the mother. Interestingly, women with lower autonomy had a poor nutritional status (p < 0.001), and were more likely to deliver LBW (OR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.2 − 1.6, p < 0.001) and small infants (OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.3 − 1.7, p < 0.001) as compared to women with a higher autonomy. Lower maternal autonomy remained a significant predictor (OR = 1.3, 95% CI = 1.1 − 1.5, p = 0.006) for both LBW and small size at birth (OR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.2 − 1.7, p < 0.001), after controlling for maternal socio‐demographic characteristics, parity and birth interval.ConclusionFindings from this study suggest a strong association between maternal autonomy and pregnancy outcome with mothers with low autonomy having a higher risk of delivering a low birth weight baby and also reporting smaller birth size.Funding: Dept of Foods & Nutr, UGA