Association between women empowerment and utilisation of maternal healthcare services among women in Bangladesh, BDHS 2017–2018 (N=4767)
| Women Empowerment Index (SWPER) | ANC1 AOR* (95% CI) | P value | ≥4 ANC AOR* (95% CI) | P value | SBA AOR* (95% CI) | P value | PNC AOR* (95% CI) | P value |
| Attitude to violence | ||||||||
| Low | 1 (ref) | 1 (ref) | 1 (ref) | 1 (ref) | ||||
| Medium | 0.91 (0.70 to 1.18) | 0.47 | 1.06 (0.85 to 1.31) | 0.60 | 0.79 (0.63 to 0.99) | 0.04 | 0.76 (0.61 to 0.95) | 0.02 |
| High | 1.13 (0.88 to 1.45) | 0.34 | 1.33 (1.10 to 1.60) | 0.004 | 1.18 (0.96 to 1.46) | 0.11 | 1.16 (0.94 to 1.43) | 0.17 |
| Social independence | ||||||||
| Low | 1 (ref) | 1 (ref) | 1 (ref) | 1 (ref) | ||||
| Medium | 1.23 (1.01 to 1.50) | 0.04 | 1.16 (0.98 to 1.37) | 0.08 | 1.56 (1.32 to 1.84) | <0.001 | 1.50 (1.26 to 1.78) | <0.001 |
| High | 1.85 (1.40 to 2.45) | <0.001 | 1.55 (1.27 to 1.90) | <0.001 | 2.12 (1.71 to 2.62) | <0.001 | 1.95 (1.56 to 2.44) | <0.001 |
| Decision-making | ||||||||
| Low | 1 (ref) | 1 (ref) | 1 (ref) | 1 (ref) | ||||
| Medium | 1.01 (0.75 to 1.38) | 0.92 | 1.11 (0.88 to 1.40) | 0.40 | 1.26 (1.01 to 1.59) | 0.04 | 1.22 (0.97 to 1.53) | 0.09 |
| High | 1.10 (0.82 to 1.48) | 0.65 | 1.17 (0.95 to 1.43) | 0.14 | 1.49 (1.21 to 1.83) | <0.001 | 1.47 (1.19 to 1.81) | <0.001 |
*Adjusted by respondent’s age, working status, birth order, pregnancy intention, wealth index, place of residence and region.
ANC1, at least one ANC visit from skilled providers; ≥4 ANC4, four and more ANC visits; AOR, adjusted OR; BDHS, Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey; PNC, postnatal check-up of mother within 2 days after delivery; SBA, delivery by skilled attendant; SWPER, survey-based Women’s emPowERment.