The Association of Women Empowerment Dimensions and Antenatal Care Utilization in Ethiopia; Facility-based Cross- Sectional Study, 2022

Abstract Background Women empowerment is a multidimensional global development goal. Women in developing countries are exposed to disempowerment. This leads to mortality and morbidity in women through the inhibition of maternal care, such as antenatal care. It is impossible to decrease maternal mortality without sufficient and timely antenatal care. However, the association between women’s empowerment and antenatal care utilization has been understudied. Therefore, this research aimed to assess the association of women’s empowerment dimensions with antenatal care utilization. Method A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 305 mothers selected by systematic random sampling from July 1–August 31, 2022. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. The collected data were entered into Epi-Data Manager version 4.6.0.6 and then exported to SPSS version 26. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine the associations among the variables. Results Out of 305 respondents, 301 provided a complete response, which is a response rate of 99.1%. Approximately 187 (62.1%) study participants utilized adequate antenatal care [95% CI];[56.4,67.6]. The majority of women’s empowerment dimensions have a statistically positive correlation with adequate antenatal care utilization. In addition, multivariate logistic regression showed that [AOR (95% C. I)], high self-efficacy [AOR = 2.06 (1.16, 3.68)], high self-esteem [AOR = 2.74 (1.52, 4.94)], an internal locus of control [AOR = 2.21 (1.23, 3.96)], and labor work participation [AOR = 2.28 (1.22, 4.28)] were all associated with antenatal care utilization. Conclusion Women’s empowerment dimensions have a positive and statistically significant association with antenatal care utilization. To improve recommended antenatal care utilization by mothers, the empowerment of women by health professionals, hospitals, and other stakeholders is very important.