Barriers to men's involvement in antenatal and postnatal care in Butula, western Kenya.

Fernandos K Ongolly,Salome A Bukachi

doi:10.4102/phcfm.v11i1.1911

Abstract

BackgroundMen have a lot of influence on their partners’ and children’s health. However, studies have shown their involvement in antenatal care (ANC) and postnatal care (PNC) is relatively low owing to several factors.AimTo explore the barriers to men’s involvement in ANC and PNC in Butula sub-county, western Kenya.SettingButula sub-county, Busia county, western Kenya.MethodsA mixed methods study design, descriptive in nature, was used to collect both quantitative and qualitative data. A total of 96 men were selected to participate in the surveys. Also, four focus group discussions and four key informant interviews were conducted.ResultsWe found out that some men still participate in ANC and PNC despite the barriers. The perception that maternal health is a women’s domain and existence of alternative traditional maternal services were key cultural barriers. The men’s nature of work, low income and expenses incurred at ANC/PNC clinics were significant economic barriers. The lack of services targeting men, provider attitude, non-invitation to the clinic, time spent at the clinic and lack of privacy at the clinics were key facility-based barriers.ConclusionA myriad of cultural, economic and health-facility barriers hinder men from active involvement in ANC and PNC. Awareness creation among men on ANC and PNC services and creating a client-friendly environment at the clinics is key in enhancing their involvement. This should be a concerted effort of all stake holders in maternal health services, as male involvement is a strong influencer to their partners’ and children’s health outcomes.

Highlights

Antenatal care (ANC) and postnatal care (PNC) have been used for a long time as a strategy for reducing maternal and infant mortality in the promotion of safe deliveries and proper maternal and child health care
In most African cultures, pregnancy and delivery are regarded as the domain of women, and so most men are culturally excluded from accompanying their partners to the ANC and PNC clinics.[3,5,6]
Lack of emphasis on male involvement The findings revealed that, considering the fact that health care workers did not emphasise the importance of http://www.phcfm.org male involvement in ANC and PNC and just invited them by word of mouth through their partners, most men lacked the motivation to participate

Summary

Introduction

Antenatal care (ANC) and postnatal care (PNC) have been used for a long time as a strategy for reducing maternal and infant mortality in the promotion of safe deliveries and proper maternal and child health care. Health care providers encourage men to actively take part in ANC and PNC; this is partly because in most cultures men influence most decisions made within their families including those concerning the health of their family members. Such decisions as to when, where and how women and children access health care are often made by men. Studies have shown their involvement in antenatal care (ANC) and postnatal care (PNC) is relatively low owing to several factors

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Conclusion