Analysis of Women’s Empowerment in Reproductive Health Decision-Making and Midwifery-Led Interventions in Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

Empowering women to make informed reproductive health decisions is an essential pathway to promoting gender equity and improving their health. However, cultural and socio-economic barriers are often limiting women's autonomy to make informed reproductive health choices. This study examined women empowerment in reproductive health decisions and midwifery -led interventions in Rivers State. Two objectives and two research questions guided the study. Two hypotheses were also tested. The study adopted cross-sectional mixed methods design. The population of this study consisted 799,792 women of reproductive age living in Rivers State during the study. A sample of 400 women of reproductive age living in the state provided data for the study. The instruments used to collect data were a validated questionnaire and an interview guide. The reliability coefficients of the questionnaire were established at 0.82, 0.81, 0.76, 0.86, 0.77 and 0.80. The quantitative data collected were analysed using percentage, mean, standard deviation and Chi-square, while qualitative data were analysed thematically and textually. The findings of the study revealed that 71.47% of women in Rivers State had a high level of awareness about midwifery-led interventions (x̄ = 2.92), and 55.71% rated the psychometric properties of the interventions highly (x̄ = 2.78). Furthermore, the participation of women in the interventions was substantial (x̄ = 2.90; 64.94%), resulting in a significant improvement in their reproductive health outcomes (x̄ = 2.85; 57.88%; χ² = 43.287, p = .000). The study recommended that Rivers State Ministry of Health should develop and implement a consistent and community-focused awareness campaigns about midwifery-led interventions. These campaigns should leverage local leaders, community radio, and religious organisations to disseminate information on reproductive health services, including antenatal care, and menstrual health management. Healthcare administrators should prioritise the deployment of more midwives to rural areas to ensure that reproductive health services are easily accessible.