Individual Factors as Determinants of Male Partner Involvement in Antenatal Care in Kiambu County, Kenya

doi:10.7176/jhmn/97-02

Abstract

Male partner involvement in maternal health is crucial in reducing maternal neonatal morbidity and mortality as well as a crucial component in the optimization of Maternal and Child Health services. Despite global efforts to improve male partner involvement, in Kenya this has remained low. This study explored individual factors that determine of male partner involvement in antenatal care in Kamenu Ward, Kiambu County. Specifically, the study looked into the effects of individual male partner factors such as the demographic factors and knowledge on male partner involvement in antenatal care. The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional survey design which provided both quantitative and qualitative data. Self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from 384 male partners aged 18 - 90 years who were residents of Kamenu Ward. Correlation results revealed that male partner’s individual factors had significant positive relationship with their involvement in ANC. It was concluded that male partner factors such as knowledge of ANC, level of income, nature of employment, age, marital status, religion and level of education influences male partner involvement in ANC positively. The researcher recommends management of health facilities to ensure that male partners are encouraged to actively participate in their spouses ANC as this plays a vital role in improving the health of the mother and the baby. Keywords : Male partner involvement, Antenatal care, Pregnancy, Maternal health DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/97-02 Publication date: January 31 st 2022

Highlights

1.1 Background information Male partner involvement is referred as male partners actively participating in protecting, promoting the health and wellbeing of their spouses and children which is realized when male partners support decisions and activities that improve maternal health (Yargawa & Bee, 2015)
Despite the efforts put in place to improve male partner involvement, this has remained low in Kenya
Majority 86.5% of the respondents were Christians, 12.6% Muslims and 4.0% Hindus and the rest were (0.8%) were pagans. 4.1.2 Religion Religion as a male partner factor was important for this study as it was reported for instance that decision making powers of male partners were said to be derived from religious obligations. 4.1.3 Education level Majority of the respondents 143(37.5%) had attained college level of education and 120(31.5%) Secondary Level

Summary

Introduction

1.1 Background information Male partner involvement is referred as male partners actively participating in protecting, promoting the health and wellbeing of their spouses and children which is realized when male partners support decisions and activities that improve maternal health (Yargawa & Bee, 2015). In this regard, it is currently being promoted and adopted globally, nationally and at sub-national level through policy and program planning as a promising strategy to improve MNH (Thomson, et al, 2015). Male partners can positively influence MCH in a variety of ways, when informed can make sound decisions on behalf of the family for better health (Akinpelu & Oluwaseyi, 2014)

Methods

Results

Conclusion