Decision Making Autonomy for Health Care Service Utilization and Its Associated Factors Among Married Women in Ambo Town Oromia Ethiopia 2022 a Mixed Methods Cross Sectional Study

Abstract Background Decision making autonomy of Women's health care service utilization is defined as the ability of women to make decisions on their freedom of movement, extent of decision-making power and their financial control without seeking permission from other. So, assessing healthcare service utilization decision making autonomy sheds lights on factors associated with women’s decision-making autonomy in family and community as well. Objective To assess Decision-making autonomy of women’s health care service utilization and its associated factors among married women of Ambo town, West Shoa zone, Oromia, Ethiopia, 2022. Methods In 2022, 404 married women from Ambo town, West Shoa zone, Oromia, Ethiopia, participated in a mixed method community-based cross-sectional study. Data was gathered by an Interviewer administered questionnaires. Variables with a P-value of 0.2 and below at bivariate analysis were chosen for Multivariable analysis. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were used to identify association. Thematic analysis was employed for the qualitative portion. Finally, variables with P-value ≤ 0.05 declared as statistically significant. Quantitative data was presented by chart, table, graph, figures and qualitative data presented in narrative text. Result According to our study more than three fourth 305(77.2%) of married women have health care service utilization decision making autonomy. Having average monthly income of 3000ETB-6000ETB (AOR = 3.418(1.731–6.747)), lacking regular access to money (AOR = 0.193(0.044–0.848), Lacking decision power over their earnings (AOR = 0.123(0.031–0.484)), self-employee husband (AOR = 0.379(0.149–0.963)), and lacking husbands discussion with health care provider about health care (AOR = 0.450(0.218–0.929)) were identified as associated factors with women’s health care service utilization decision making autonomy. Conclusion This study revealed that about three fourth of married women have high autonomy on health care service utilization decision-making. Women’s average monthly income, Regular access to money, Decision on their earnings, self-employee husband and husband not discussing with health care provider were factors associated with women’s health care service utilization decision making autonomy.