Introduction: In Senegal, the issue of access to maternal, reproductive and sexual health services remains a health priority. Although there have been many health interventions, women’s access to health services remains limited due to women’s limited autonomy in making decisions about their health.Purpose of research: The objective of this study was to study the factors associated with women’s decision-making autonomy in relation to their own health in Senegal in 2017.
Results: Six-point twenty-six percent (6.26%) of women were autonomous in making decisions about their health. For 80.33% of women, it was their husband or partner who decided for them.The factors associated with women’s decision-making autonomy were the 20-24 and 45-49 age groups with AOR of 0.28 [0.10-0.77] and 2.99 [1.25-7.17], rural housing environment (AOR = 0.52 [0.34-0.80]), higher women’s level of education (AOR = 4.10 [1.54-10.93]), the level of education of the husband/primary partner (AOR = 1.98 [1.08-3.61]), the marital status of the married woman (AOR = 0.09 [0.02-0.38]) and the fact that the woman is engaged in an income-generating activity (AOR = 3.70 [2.52-5.44]).
Conclusions: This study highlights a low rate of decision-making autonomy among Senegalese women. It also made it possible to identify the factors on which action should be taken to improve women’s decision-making autonomy for their health. These factors include women’s access to education and the promotion of income-generating activities among women.