FACTORS INFLUENCING DECISION-MAKING REGARDING SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND RIGHTS AMONG MARRIED WOMEN IN GIRAWA DISTRICT, EASTERN ETHIOPI

Abstract

Background: In a society with male dominance over many decisions, understanding women’s decision regarding sexual, reproductive health and rights (SRHR), especially in the rural communities, is important for planning tailored interventions. Data on women’s decision regarding sexual, reproductive health and right are limited in Ethiopia in general and in eastern Ethiopia in particular. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess women’s decision-making regarding sexual, reproductive health & rights in Girawa District, eastern Ethiopia. Methods: A community based mixed study was employed among randomly selected married women in Girawa District. Decision making in SRHR was measured using structured questionnaire. Collected data was entered into EpiData 3.1 then exported to Stata 15 for analysis. Decision making on SRHR was rated as good if a respondent was scored above the mean, otherwise poor decision making . The logistic regression models was employed to identify factors associated with women’s decision making regarding SRHR. Descriptive results were summarized as percentage, means and standard deviations. The association of the independent variable with the outcome variable was identified at p-value <0. 05 along with the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) were determined. Results: Among the sampled women, 596 (96.9%) of them participated in the study. Two third (67.62%) of respondents had good decision-making on SRHR,. Living in the urban AOR=1.8 : 95% CI(1.26 2.34) ,Secondary school attended women (AOR=3.25, 95%CI :( 1.90, 4.60) and college/university attend (AOR=:3.57 ,95%CI:2.05, 5.08),College and above attended partner (AOR=2.53 ,95%CI(1.22 3.83), higher monthly income (AOR= 2.3(1.38 3.22) , having better knowledge towards SRHR (AOR =1.8 :95%CI(1.15 2.16)) were significantly associated with good decision-making power on SRHR. Conclusions: Married women in the study area had relatively high decision making power on SRHR. Place of residence, women's and her partner educations, having knowledge about SRHR and monthly income are factors associated with women's decision-making power. Stakeholders and government should work on programs that promote women’s economic status and knowledge of SRHR to enhance women’s decision making on SRHR