The Effect of Women’s Empowerment in the Utilisation of Family Planning in Western Ethiopia: A Structural Equation Modelling Approach

Muluken Dessalegn Muluneh, Lyn Francis, Mhiret Ayele, Sintayehu Abebe, Misrak Makonnen and Virginia Stulz
Additional contact information
Muluken Dessalegn Muluneh: Amref Health Africa in Ethiopia, P.O. Box 20855, Addis Ababa 1000, Ethiopia
Lyn Francis: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Parramatta South Campus, Western Sydney University, Parramatta, NSW 2151, Australia
Mhiret Ayele: Amref Health Africa in Ethiopia, P.O. Box 20855, Addis Ababa 1000, Ethiopia
Sintayehu Abebe: Amref Health Africa in Ethiopia, P.O. Box 20855, Addis Ababa 1000, Ethiopia
Misrak Makonnen: Amref Health Africa in Ethiopia, P.O. Box 20855, Addis Ababa 1000, Ethiopia
Virginia Stulz: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 12, 1-14

Abstract: This study examines the associations between women’s empowerment and family planning use in Jimma Zone, Western Ethiopia. A total of 746 randomly selected married women of reproductive age were interviewed. The data were employed by structural equation modelling (SEM) to investigate the complex and multidimensional pathways to show women’s empowerment domains in family planning utilisation. Results of the study revealed that 72% of married women had used family planning. Younger women, having access to information, having access to health facilities and being aware about family planning methods, living in a rural area, having an older partner and increased household decision-making power were associated with using family planning methods. Women’s empowerment is an important determinant of contraceptive use. Women’s empowerment dimensions included increased household decision-making power, socio-demographic variables and having access to information about family planning and accessible health facilities. These were found to be important determinants of contraceptive use. Future interventions should focus on integrating women’s empowerment into family planning programming, particularly in enhancing women’s autonomy in decision making. Further research is warranted on the socio-cultural context of women that influences women’s empowerment and family planning use to establish an in-depth understanding and equity of women in society.

Keywords: women’s empowerment; family planning; decision making (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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