Prevalence of male partners involvement in antenatal care visits \u2013 in Kyela district, Mbeya

Alfred Chibwae,Namanya Basinda,Elizabeth Kabanga,Domenica Morona

doi:10.1186/s12884-019-2475-4

Alfred Chibwae, Namanya Basinda + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-019-2475-4

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Abstract

BackgroundIn most countries in the world, promotion of maternal and child health is perceived as women’s role and men do not feel that they are responsible and see no reason to accompany their partners to Antenatal Care (ANC) clinics [Vermeulen, E., et al., BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 16:66, 2016]. Male involvement in Reproductive, Maternal, Neonates and Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) programs in Tanzania is low. In Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) program, the data shows only 30% attend couple counseling and only 8% for HIV counseling with their partners. There is limited data on prevalence of male involvement in ANC visits in Kyela. The purpose of this study was to determine prevalence of male involvement in ANC services and assess factors influencing male partners’ involvement in ANC visits in Kyela district in Mbeya. The findings from this study will serve as a baseline in efforts to increase male involvement in ANC care in Kyela.MethodsHospital based cross-sectional study was undertaken in Kyela district, Mbeya from October 2017 to November 2017. Data was collected using structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Factors with P values of < 0.05 in univariate logistic regression were included in a multivariable logistic regression model to determine predictor variables that are independently associated with the outcome. Significant difference was defined as a P- value less than 0.05 and Odds Ratio (OR) that did not include 1.0.ResultsAbout 174 pregnant women who were visiting the ANC in their second to fourth visits or higher. About, 56.9% (99) attended with their male partners and 51% (52) of these reported to be accompanied by male partners to ANC because the women had requested their partners to accompany them. Attendance of male partners to ANC was significantly associated with male partner awareness of ANC visiting dates OR 24.1, 95% CI 6.8, 86.5, and P < 0.0001.ConclusionPrevalence of male attendance to the ANC in Kyela district is not adequate as fearing of HIV testing seemed to decrease male attendance to ANC services. So, there is high need to improve ANC health services with a focus on male friendly services.

Highlights

In most countries in the world, promotion of maternal and child health is perceived as women’s role and men do not feel that they are responsible and see no reason to accompany their partners to Antenatal Care (ANC) clinics [Vermeulen, E., et al, Bugando Medical Centre (BMC) Pregnancy Childbirth 16:66, 2016]
This study found a significant association between male attendance to the ANC and knowing the dates for the ANC visits (OR: 18.7 95% CI: 7.2 to 48.0 P = < 0.0001), couple communication, hearing about ANC, and knowing about ANC services (OR: 3.6 95% CI: 1.5 to 8.8 P = 0.06,) Table 2
This study has found that more than a half of the pregnant women who attended to the health facility attended with their male partners

Summary

Introduction

In most countries in the world, promotion of maternal and child health is perceived as women’s role and men do not feel that they are responsible and see no reason to accompany their partners to Antenatal Care (ANC) clinics [Vermeulen, E., et al, BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 16:66, 2016]. There is limited data on prevalence of male involvement in ANC visits in Kyela. Promotion of maternal and child health is perceived as women’s role and men do not feel that they are responsible and see no reason to accompany their partners to ANC visits [3]. A study done on acceptability and preferences among men and women for male involvement in Antenatal Care revealed that socio-cultural factors are the main barrier to antenatal male partner HIV testing [5]

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