Does the Women Empowerment is the driving force of Access to Skilled Delivery Services in Pakistan?

Abstract

Abstract Proper medical attention and hygienic conditions during delivery reduce the risk of complications and infections that may cause death or serious illness for the mother and baby. To reduce the health risks is to increase the proportion of deliveries in safe, clean environment under the supervision of skilled health professionals. Unfortunately, in Pakistan, around 34% of births took place at home. The role of various factors behind the access to skilled birth attendants has been investigated however the role of women empowerment is not given due consideration by the researcher, particularly in the case of Pakistan. This paper examined the influence of women’s empowerment on access to skilled delivery services. The data from PDHS 2017-18 has been used. The results reveal that variables of women empowerment have a significant impact on female access to a skilled birth attendant. Specifically, significant associations have been found between women’s media and information technology empowerment, economic empowerment and socio-cultural empowerment, interpersonal empowerment, and access to skilled birth attendants. This study suggests that there is a need to focus on women’s access to media and information technology, women's decision-making autonomy, economic enhancement, and education to increase the use of skilled birth attendants in Pakistan.