Women's involvement in decision making for unmet need for contraception in Indonesia

Abstract

Background

The issue of gender inequality in reproductive health has a role in determining contraceptive use in women. Gender issues related to inequality in decision making are the primary context in family planning interventions. The purpose of this study is to assess women's participation in decision making and its relation to an unmet need.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted using IDHS data in 2017. The study involved 1516 women of childbearing age (15–49 years) with married categories in areas with the high unmet need (West Papua) and the lowest unmet need area (Bangka Belitung).

Results

Married women in the Bangka Belitung region have more power in decision making than married women in West Papua. Involvement in economic matters and the decision to use contraception as the most dominant factor and participation in the household have a significant relationship with the occurrence of unmet need, as well as education, wealth, and experience in using contraception related to unmet need. While age, fertility preference, husband's desire to have children, and involvement in health and mobility were not directly related to unmet need.

Conclusions

Better participation in decision making is higher for women in the Bangka Belitung region than in Papua. Empowerment of women in terms of the economy and the use of contraception needs to be improved so that they have power in decision making.