Effect of women's empowerment on their utilization of health services: A case of Nepal

Over half a million women die annually due to maternity complications. Studies support that utilization of health services reduces maternal mortality. Using a nationally representative sample of 7878 previously pregnant women from Nepal we examined if gender empowerment is associated with health service use. Findings showed that three of the five indicators of empowerment - women's age at birth of their first child, their education and knowledge about sexually transmitted diseases - significantly increased utilization of health services, especially antenatal and delivery services. Women's opinion about wife beating and their participation in intra-household financial decisions were insignificant. Implications for social work practice are discussed.