Is sexual autonomy a protective factor for neonatal, child, and infant mortality? A multi-country analysis

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0212413
• Publication Date: 2019-02-22T19:11:10Z
• Authors: Peter Memiah; Yvonne Opanga; Tristi Bond; Courtney Cook; Michelle Mwangi; Jenna Fried; Marie A. Joseph; Kevin Owuor; Vernon Mochache; Yvonne Wangui Mac...
• Keywords: Adult; Male; Safe Sex; Adolescent; Science; Sexual Behavior; Condoms; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; 5. Gender equality; Pregnancy; Infant Mortality; Humans; Child; 10. No inequality; Q; R; Infant, Newborn; 1. No poverty; Infant; Pregnancy, Unplanned; Africa, Eastern; Protective Factors; Health Surveys; 3. Good health; Child Mortality; Multivariate Analysis; Personal Autonomy; Medicine; Female; Research Article

Sexual autonomy empowers women to set boundaries, take control of their bodies, prevent sexually transmitted diseases and avoid unplanned pregnancy. A woman's ability negotiate safer sex is crucial for her survival that child. among East African vital the elimination deaths neonates, infants, children. The aim our study was explore association sexual on neonatal, infant, child mortality.This a secondary analysis demographic health survey (DHS) data reproductive age (15-49 years) in five countries: Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda. Data outcome variables under-five mortality which were binary form extracted from database. classified as composite variable "respondent can refuse sex," ask partner use condom," "if spouse justified asking husband condom." Other sociodemographic, maternal, system paternal included analysis. STATA version 14 used Proportions frequencies describe three sociodemographic characteristics. Chi-square tests compare associations between categorical variables. Adjusted hazard ratios determine independent variables.The sampled predominantly urban (75%; n = 5758) poor (48.7%; 3702). majority those experienced (neonatal 53.5%, infant 54.3%, 55.7%) young (under 20) at time first child's birth while male partners older. multivariate supports beneficial effects women's Africa. Women who exercised significantly lower rates all stages: neonatal (NHR 0.80, 95% CI: 0.68-0.94, p 0.006), (IHR 0.82, 0.72-0.93, 0.003), (UHR 0.84, 0.75-0.94, 0.002), net other factors. Receiving antenatal care using contraceptives also contributed rates.Our findings suggest an urgent priority children should be informed, empowered, autonomous concerning health.