INFLUENCE OF THE SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC AND REPRODUCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS ON REPRODUCTIVE AUTONOMY AMONG WOMEN

Abstract

Objective: to analyze the influence of the sociodemographic and reproductive characteristics on reproductive autonomy among women through the subscales of the Reproductive Autonomy Scale. Method: an analytical and cross-sectional study with a stratified sample composed of 346 female rural workers registered in Chapéu de Palha Mulher Program in Pernambuco. Data collection occurred in the month of February 19th and February 23rd, 2018. The National Health Survey questionnaire and the Reproductive Autonomy Scale were used. The data were analyzed using simple and multiple linear regression analyses. Results: the women presented high reproductive autonomy with the lowest autonomy being observed in relation to the “Communication” construct. Marital status, education level, skin color/race, participation in a family planning group, and having already being pregnant are significant variables for total reproductive autonomy. Conclusion: the full reproductive autonomy of rural women can be influenced by sociodemographic and reproductive variables. One of the ways to increase reproductive autonomy among the women in this study would be through an intervention aimed at health education on sexual and reproductive rights and power and gender relations so that women can be guided, obtain more information on these topics, and correlate them with reproductive autonomy.