Social-Cultural Determinants of Male Partner Involvement in Antenatal Care at Anti-Stock - Theft – Unit Kenya

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Purpose: Male involvement in antenatal care is a problem identified by different researchers and experienced globally. It is a key component in the optimization of maternal health and universal maternal health achievement. Few men engage in care in developing countries. The current study sought to identify Social-cultural Determinants of Male Partner Involvement in Antenatal Care.Methodology: Descriptive cross-sectional research design. Simple random sampling was used to sample 334 subjects from 2582 population. Data was gathered using self- administered questionnaires, edited, coded, and organized with help of statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), then analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Hypothesis was tested using Chi square tests of independence and information presented using tables and percentages.Results: Majority (92.8%) of subjects were affiliated to religion. On cross tabulation, (100%) of participants who accompanied the partners during the first ANC visit disagreed that religion impairs male partner participating in antenatal care unlike (100%) of those who did not. Chi squire tests of independence was (p=0.047). Majority (77.2%) of the respondents preferred traditional birth attendants for partner’s antenatal care compared to 15.6% for health care workers. On cross tabulation, (93.3%) of the participants who accompanied partners during the first ANC visit indicated that they preferred health care providers to traditional birth attendants while 81.8% of those who did not accompany the partners indicated preference for traditional birth attendants and 9.1% preferred care workers. Chi squire tests of (independence (p=0.001).Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: Male partner involvement in maternal health is desirable at the study area and there is need of social supports such as informational, appraisal, instrumental and emotional supports to enhance physical, psychological well-being, social integration and social ties. Researcher highlights the need to address religion and traditional birth attendants’ reliance which were found significant and established as barriers of male partner participating in ANC and causes of low ANC attendances among pregnant women. Further, policy change is advocated so that the government can pass laws which oblige men to be responsible for pregnant partners by accompanying them to ANC, knowing ANC schedules, discussing interventions, supporting the ANC fees if applicable, and knowing what happens at the ANC during the current pregnancy.