Women's empowerment and practice of maternal healthcare facilities in Bangladesh: a trend analysis

PurposeThis study aims to explore whether there is an association between women's empowerment and the utilization of maternal healthcare facilities.Design/methodology/approachThis study considered four indices for measuring women's empowerment – labor force participation index (LFPI), decision-making power index (DMPI), attitude toward partner’s violence index (ATPVI) and knowledge level index (KLI) – and three healthcare facilities – number of antenatal visits, delivery with healthcare facilities and postnatal checkup after delivery. Data extracted for this study were from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey 2011 and 2014. A chi-square test was used for bivariate analysis, and a three-level logistic regression model was applied for multivariate analysis.FindingsAn increment was observed in the practice of all considered healthcare facilities, and the percentage of highly empowered women in DMPI decreased from 2011 to 2014. This study found that higher empowerment of women in DMPI, KLI and ATPVI significantly (p-value < 0.05) increases the utilization of healthcare facilities. High empowerment of mothers in LFPI was found negatively associated with facility delivery and positively associated with the postnatal checkup.Originality/valueWomen's empowerment was found significantly associated with the utilization of maternal healthcare facilities. This study is seeking the attention of corresponding authority to come up with a more effective intervention program to empower women to utilize maternal healthcare facilities.