Role of women in reproductive decision making and inter-personal communication regarding reproductive health

Abstract

Background: Reproductive health of women plays a key role in overall development of a country. Lack of decision-making by women in reproductive health matters may lead to an unplanned pregnancy, unsafe abortion and other adverse reproductive health outcomes.Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted among married women with at least one child aged 18-49 years in Punjab, India. Study variables included socio-demographic characteristics, reproductive health characteristics, contraceptive choices, interpersonal communication and interpersonal relationship with spouses.Results: Among all surveyed married women, only 51 (58.6%) women reported to be physically and mentally ready for their marriage. 50 (57.5%) of women reported using condoms, while about one-third of the women were not using any kind of contraceptive method. 62 (75.5%) women reported decisions to be taken jointly for child health care. Place of delivery was reportedly discussed 78 (88.6%) by women with their spouses. Interpersonal communications were rated as either very good or good by 72 (81.8%) women. Also, women who were more educated than their spouses were less likely to be satisfied with inter-spousal communication. No significant association was observed between higher education of women than their spouses and active role in taking various decisions by women.Conclusions: Women should be encouraged to take her own reproductive and health related decisions and other family members should support her. Efforts to increase awareness for sexual and reproductive issues should be initiated from adolescence phase.