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Abstract Background Women with functional difficulty often experience activity limitations due to their increased vulnerability compared to men. Although prevalence estimates exist, cross-country evidence on determinants in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) remains limited. This study estimated the pooled prevalence and identified factors associated with functional difficulty among women of reproductive age in LMICs. Methods We analyzed data from the most recent Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys conducted between 2017 and 2022 in 22 LMICs. The outcome variable was functional difficulty among women aged 18–49 years. Survey-weighted pooled prevalence estimates were calculated. A multivariable multilevel logistic regression model was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Results The pooled prevalence of functional difficulty was 5.15%, ranging from 1.33% in Sierra Leone to 13.39% in the Central African Republic. Higher odds of difficulty were observed among women of higher reproductive age (42–49 years; AOR = 4.75), those with no/pre-primary/primary education (AOR = 1.95), urban residents (AOR = 1.60), and women never in union (AOR = 1.34). Additional risk factors included exposure to intimate partner violence (AOR = 1.14), high parity (≥ 7 children; AOR = 1.44), unimproved sanitation (AOR = 1.17), low life satisfaction (AOR = 2.09), and lack of mobile phone ownership (AOR = 1.33). Regionally, women residing in African countries had higher odds of difficulty (AOR = 2.24) than those in Asia. Conclusions Functional difficulty affects one in 20 women of reproductive age in LMICs, with substantial cross-country variation. The burden is patterned by sociodemographic, reproductive, psychosocial, household, and digital access factors, highlighting persistent inequalities and the need for targeted, equity-focused interventions to improve women’s functioning and well-being.
Mayen et al. (Fri,) studied this question.