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Exploring the link between household structure and women’s household decision-making autonomy in Mauritania

Bibliographic Data

ID21342848
AuthorsFlorence Wullo Anfaara (0000-0001-7256-8613, Western University), Daniel Amoak (0000-0002-3879-7233, Western University), Nancy Osei Kye (Western University), Y Sano (0000-0002-9707-0448, Nipissing University), R Antabe (0000-0003-0312-3201, University of Toronto Scarborough, corresponding author)
Year2024
Volume56
Issue5
Pages831-844
Publication date2024-09-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Biosocial Science (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0021-9320 • E-ISSN: 1469-7599
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s0021932024000221
PMID38797880
OpenAlexW4399052706
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited37

Governments in sub-Saharan African countries aim to increase married women’s household decision-making autonomy as it remains a critical determinant of desirable health behaviours such as healthcare utilisation, antenatal care visits, and safer sex negotiation. However, very few studies explore how household structure (i.e., monogamous or polygamous) is associated with married women’s household decision-making autonomy. Our paper seeks to address this gap. Using the 2019–20 Mauritania Demographic and Health Survey, a nationally representative dataset, and applying logistic regression analysis, we explore how married women’s household structure is associated with their household decision-making autonomy. We find that 9% of married women are in polygamous marriages, while 63% and 65% are involved in decision-making about their health and large household purchases, respectively. Additionally, 76% and 56% are involved in decision-making about visiting family or relatives and household expenditures. After accounting for socio-economic and demographic factors, we find that compared to women from monogamous households, those from polygamous households are less likely to participate in decision-making about their health (OR=0.65, p

Autonomy · Demographic economics · Economic growth · Economics · Health care · Logistic regression · Negotiation · Political science · Socioeconomics · Sociology · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Demography · Global Maternal and Child Health · Marriage and Sexual Relationships · Medicine

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Unique citing works1
Citations per year1
Citation span2025 - 2025 (1)
Citation velocityrecent
Highly citedNo
Citation typesNeutral: 1
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