Use of Reproductive Health Services in Tajikistan: Does Women's Empowerment Matter?

I drew upon an analysis of the 2017 Demographic and Health Survey data from Tajikistan to determine the relationship between women's empowerment and their use of reproductive health services. The results indicate that women with higher empowerment had significantly higher odds of having received at least four antenatal care visits and having given birth at a health facility than did women with lower empowerment. Women's education, region of residence, socioeconomic status, and number of children were also significant determinants of use of reproductive health services. The findings highlight the need for multi-sectoral national policies and programs to address women's empowerment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]