Nisha Rao1, Allahna Esber2, Abigail Turner3, Joseph Chilewani4, Venson Banda4, Alison Norris3. 1. The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, USA. Electronic address: nisha.rao@osumc.edu. 2. The Ohio State University College of Public Health, Columbus, Ohio, USA. 3. The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, USA; The Ohio State University College of Public Health, Columbus, Ohio, USA. 4. Child Legacy International, Lilongwe, Malawi.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of joint partner decision making on obstetric choices and outcomes in Malawi. METHODS: Between July 15, 2014 and February 25, 2015, interviews were performed with women who reported at least one lifetime pregnancy in Lilongwe District, Malawi as part of a cross-sectional study of reproductive decision making. Logistic regression models were applied to examine associations of joint decision making with delivery location and obstetric complications. RESULTS: The study population included 860 women. Women who engaged in joint decision making with partners (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 4.9; 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.3-7.2) and women whose partners made obstetric-care decisions alone (aOR 3.2; 95% CI 2.4-4.4) were more likely to undergo delivery at a healthcare facility compared with women who made obstetric-care decisions individually. In comparison with women who made obstetric decisions individually, no difference in the likelihood of experiencing obstetric complications was observed for women who engaged in joint decision making (aOR 1.1; 95% CI 0.7-1.7) or for women whose partners made decisions individually (aOR 0.8; 95% CI 0.5-1.3). CONCLUSION: In rural Malawi, partner involvement in obstetric decision making was associated with improved obstetric choices.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of joint partner decision making on obstetric choices and outcomes in Malawi. METHODS: Between July 15, 2014 and February 25, 2015, interviews were performed with women who reported at least one lifetime pregnancy in Lilongwe District, Malawi as part of a cross-sectional study of reproductive decision making. Logistic regression models were applied to examine associations of joint decision making with delivery location and obstetric complications. RESULTS: The study population included 860 women. Women who engaged in joint decision making with partners (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 4.9; 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.3-7.2) and women whose partners made obstetric-care decisions alone (aOR 3.2; 95% CI 2.4-4.4) were more likely to undergo delivery at a healthcare facility compared with women who made obstetric-care decisions individually. In comparison with women who made obstetric decisions individually, no difference in the likelihood of experiencing obstetric complications was observed for women who engaged in joint decision making (aOR 1.1; 95% CI 0.7-1.7) or for women whose partners made decisions individually (aOR 0.8; 95% CI 0.5-1.3). CONCLUSION: In rural Malawi, partner involvement in obstetric decision making was associated with improved obstetric choices.
Authors: Joseph Rujumba; Stella Neema; Robert Byamugisha; Thorkild Tylleskär; James K Tumwine; Harald K Heggenhougen Journal: J Int AIDS Soc Date: 2012 Impact factor: 5.396
Authors: John Ditekemena; Olivier Koole; Cyril Engmann; Richard Matendo; Antoinette Tshefu; Robert Ryder; Robert Colebunders Journal: Reprod Health Date: 2012-11-21 Impact factor: 3.223