A study published on March 21, 2025, has highlighted the importance of healthcare decision-making autonomy among married women in Indonesia, revealing that nearly half of the women surveyed make independent decisions about their health.
According to the research, conducted among 16,050 married women across 34 provinces utilizing data from the Indonesia Demographic and Health Surveys in 2017, 46.4% of women reported making healthcare decisions on their own. This signifies a crucial aspect of women’s health, as autonomy in decision-making is linked to better health outcomes and enhanced overall well-being.
"Women’s autonomy in healthcare decision-making is very important in terms of both human rights and healthcare outcomes," wrote the authors of the article. The study sought to estimate the magnitude and identify factors associated with healthcare decision-making autonomy to provide insights into how these dynamics can be improved.
Analysis of the data revealed several factors influencing women’s decision-making autonomy. Women who owned mobile phones, for instance, were less likely to leave healthcare decision-making solely to their husbands (OR = 0.75; 95% CI = 0.62–0.92). Furthermore, women residing in urban areas demonstrated a greater likelihood of independently making healthcare decisions compared to those in rural locales.
Interestingly, women living in the islands of Java or Bali tended to have a lower tendency to include their husbands in decision-making (OR = 0.72; 95% CI = 0.64–0.82) than their counterparts in different regions. This suggests that geographical differences play a significant role in women's healthcare autonomy.
At the same time, participation in household economic decisions was found to correlate significantly with healthcare decision-making autonomy. Women who participated jointly with their husbands in managing finances were more inclined to make collaborative healthcare decisions (OR = 3.61; 95% CI = 3.24–4.02).
Another critical aspect observed was the presence or absence of financial barriers to accessing healthcare treatments. Women without financial constraints were more likely to engage in joint decision-making (OR = 1.17; 95% CI = 1.01–1.35) and to delegate decisions to their husbands (OR = 1.32; 95% CI = 1.07–1.63).
"This empowerment enables women to actively participate in their healthcare decision-making," the authors pointed out, stressing the need for public health initiatives that target vulnerable populations, such as women living in rural areas, to bolster their autonomy.
The findings illuminate a clear link between autonomy and improved healthcare outcomes. For instance, women who are active participants in decision-making about their earnings tend to exhibit greater authority over their healthcare choices. This correlation reflects a broader trend observed across various studies indicating that empowerment in one domain tends to facilitate openness in others, especially related to health management.
However, the study also indicates challenges persist, particularly in rural settings where patriarchal norms restrict women's decision-making capabilities. The authors noted that in many rural areas, traditional views still prevail, which limits women's access to education and, consequently, their ability to engage fully in healthcare decisions.
In conclusion, while 46.4% of women reported independently managing healthcare decisions, the study underscores the significant work that remains to be done to enhance women’s autonomy. Tailored public health interventions that address the specific needs of women, especially in rural communities where their voices are often marginalized, are essential for achieving better health outcomes.
The results of this study serve as a crucial reminder of the ongoing struggles for women's rights within healthcare contexts and the importance of fostering environments where women can make informed, independent decisions about their health.
