muhammadsalek/Senegal-women-health-seeking-behavior

Replication code for Senegal DHS 2023-24 analysis of health-seeking behavior among women (15-49). Survey-weighted logistic regression, rural-urban stratification, spatial mapping. # Senegal Women's Health-Seeking Behavior Analysis ## Socioeconomic and Behavioral Risk Factors of Health-Seeking Behavior among Women of Reproductive Age in Senegal: Nationally Representative Survey Evidence --- ## Overview This study investigates **socioeconomic and behavioral risk factors** of health-seeking behavior among **ever-married women of reproductive age (15–49 years)** in Senegal, using the nationally representative **Senegal Demographic and Health Survey (SDHS) 2023–24** (n = 16,583). The analysis combines survey-weighted multivariable logistic regression, rural–urban stratification, and spatial visualization to identify individual, household, and contextual determinants of healthcare utilization. Despite advances in health system coverage, health-seeking remains low in Senegal, particularly among younger women and those in disadvantaged regions — with critical implications for maternal mortality reduction (SDG 3.1) and universal health coverage (SDG 3.8). ### Key Findings at a Glance | Finding | Detail | |:--------|:-------| | **Health-Seeking Prevalence** | 11.5% overall (13.5% urban; 9.95% rural) | | **Strongest Age Effect** | Women aged 35–39 had 2.01× higher odds (AOR = 2.01; 95% CI: 1.46–2.76) | | **Autonomy Paradox** | Decision-making autonomy associated with *lower* odds (AOR = 0.59; 95% CI: 0.48–0.73) | | **IPV Justification** | Associated with higher odds of seeking care (AOR = 1.57; 95% CI: 1.32–1.89) | | **Internet Use** | 24% higher odds of care-seeking (AOR = 1.24; 95% CI: 1.06–1.46) | | **Geographic Extremes** | Thiès highest (AOR = 1.64); Kédougou lowest (AOR = 0.09) | | **Model Performance** | National AUC = 0.75; Rural AUC = 0.71; Urban AUC = 0.67 | | **Spatial Burden** | Kaffrine showed highest burden of poor health-seeking | --- ## Abstract **Background:** Health-seeking behavior among women of reproductive age is significant for improving maternal and child health and achieving SDG targets on materna …