Involvement In Maternal Health Care Research Articles

Immigrant men 's perceptions and experiences of accompanying their partner for contraceptive counselling provided by midwives in Sweden- a qualitative study.

Male involvement in maternal health care has proven to be beneficial for improving maternal and child health and is often crucial in areas of family planning and contraceptive use. However, compared to male involvement in maternal health care, male involvement in contraceptive counselling is complex and controversial and thus faces certain challenges. Immigrant men in Sweden are often accompanying their partner for contraceptive counselling. Little is known about their presence and role. To explore how immigrant men from the Middle East and Afghanistan perceive and experience accompanying their partner for contraceptive counselling provided by midwives in Sweden. Inductive qualitative content analysis guided the interpretation of data based on 21 individual in-depth interviews. Balancing conflicting values and norms about sexual and reproductive health and rights including family planning was challenging and confusing when living in Sweden. Contraceptive counselling was perceived as a joint visit, and men were often acting as decision makers. The midwife's role as a contraceptive counsellor was perceived as trusted, but knowledge was lacking about the Swedish midwifery model and the Swedish healthcare system. Providers' ways of communicating sensitive information were crucial. Without marriage contraceptive counselling was unthinkable. Highlighting male engagement and including men's sexual and reproductive health at policy levels are necessary for improving women's sexual and reproductive health and rights. Additional and new ways of contraceptive counselling and midwifery services, such as outreach work and joint visits, are needed in order to reach both men and women.

Sex Disparities: Couple's Knowledge and Attitude Towards Obstetric Danger Signs and Maternal Health Care: in Rural Jimma Zone of Ethiopia.

This study aimed to compare knowledge and attitudes towards obstetric danger signs and care between females receiving maternal care and their male partners. A community-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in the rural setting of Jimma, Ethiopia. Female and their male partners were selected randomly. The number of participants included from each sex was 3235 totaling 6470. Face-to-face data collection was employed using open data kit (ODK) software. A pre-test was performed before the data collection. Descriptive and analytical statistical analysis was used to compare knowledge and attitudes regarding obstetric danger signs and care. Predictor variables were declared considering a 95% confidence interval, adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and P-value less than 0.05. On average, male and female participants identified at least two obstetric danger signs. More females could mention more antenatal, childbirth, and postnatal danger signs than their male partners. Both females and their male partners who listened to the radio at least once per week had a statistically significant positive attitude towards obstetric care. Nonetheless, both had an almost similar magnitude of attitude towards obstetric care irrespective of belonging to different occupational, educational, and other social strata. Males' knowledge of danger signs during pregnancy (95% CI = (1.07-1.62), AOR = 1.32, P < 0.008) and postnatal care (95% CI = (1.16-1.89), AOR = 1.48, P < 0.002) had a statistically significant association with the females utilization antenatal care (ANC) service, though not delivery care (DC) or postnatal (PNC). There were inequalities in obstetric danger signs knowledge between females and their male partners. Male partners' knowledge of obstetric danger signs is not only significant during pregnancy and delivery but also has a lasting impact on post-natal service utilization, which underscores the importance of their involvement in maternal healthcare.

Self-care practices of pregnant women: A qualitative study in a Nigerian rural community

Context: Inadequate self-care during pregnancy is a contributor to the poor maternal health indices in Cross River State; including the high maternal mortality ratio of 2,000/100,000 live births.&#x0D; Objectives: The objectives of the study were to identify self-care practices adopted by women during pregnancy and delivery and to identify barriers to quality self care.&#x0D; Methods: Focus Group Discussions, Key informant interviews and in-depth interviews were conducted among pregnant women, women of reproductive age and other stakeholders in Biase Local Government Area of Cross River State.&#x0D; Results: The study revealed inadequate knowledge and practice of self-care during pregnancy. Some pregnant women were unable to recognize early signs of pregnancy while others, especially young unmarried girls, tried to hide the pregnancy. Barriers to effective self-care identified included myths and misconceptions, especially the belief that health-related events during pregnancy are caused by witches and wizards, lack of preparation for pregnancy and abandonment of pregnant women by partners, usually due to unwillingness and/or inability to father the child.&#x0D; Conclusion: There is need for pre-marital and pre-natal counselling and health education so as to address identified gaps in knowledge and practice and lack of male involvement in maternal healthcare.

Assessment of Factors that affect male partner involvement in emergency obstetric care in Fortportal Regional referral hospital

Male partner involvement has been recognized as a key factor in improving maternal health and reducing maternal mortality in settings where men play key roles in decision making in the household. Male partner involvement is one of the strategies that can be used to accelerate the decline in maternal mortality and improve maternal health. The objective of this study was to determine the level of male partner involvement in emergency obstetric care and/or came from home in labour and identify factors that influenced their involvement. A crosssectional survey using interviewer-administered structured questionnaire was conducted among 150 women aged 18 years. Male involvement was measured using a composite measure of 5 key points. Pearson Chi-Square was used to test association between the various factors and the level of male involvement and logistic regression analysis was carried out to determine the influence of these factors on the level of male involvement. The mean age of participants was 32.9 years (SD=8.2). Overall, 26.4% had high level of involvement, 55.2% had moderate level of involvement and 18.4% had low level of involvement. The period with the highest proportion of high male involvement was during labour and delivery. Younger age (18- 25years vs. 26-35years: OR=0.28, 95%CI: 0.12, 0.66) and the couple living with other family members negatively impacted on the level of male involvement. On the other hand, higher level of education (Tertiary: OR=40.57, 95%CI- 3.16, 520.32; Senior Secondary: OR=7.73, 95% CI- 1.61, 37.15) and the couple living together (OR= 13.12, 95%CI 6.86, 25.08) had a positive influence on the level of male involvement. Healthcare institution barriers to male partner involvement included poor staff attitudes, restrictions on male access to labour and delivery rooms and unwelcoming health facility environment. Male involvement in emergency obstetric care and/or came from home in labour was not optimal. Improving male-friendliness of health facilities in terms of infrastructure, organization of services and staff attitudes and education of the community especially men to sensitize them against the negative attitudes towards male participation in maternity care can improve male involvement. The Hospital Management Team in collaboration with the community leaders should organize educational campaigns within the communities to educate community members especially the men, on the importance and benefits of male involvement in maternal health care. Such campaigns can also address negative sociocultural norms and attitudes. The hospital should restructure the maternal health clinics to make them more male friendly. Adequate space and privacy must be provided. Given the sociocultural diversity in the country, more research should be encouraged in this important area to enable the design of culturally appropriate and sensitive male friendly services throughout the country. Keywords: Maternal mortality, male partner, emergency, obstetric care and Fortportal Hospital

Male Involvement in the Maternal Health Care: Expectations of Pregnant Women in Bolgatanga Municipality in the Upper East Region of Ghana

Background: Male involvement during pregnancy and childbirth is very important as it has been shown to increase the number of times a pregnant woman undertakes antenatal care visits before delivery. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is a relationship between the background characteristics of participants and their male partners’ involvement in maternal health care in the Bolgatanga Municipality of Upper East Region. Methods: The study design employed was a facility-based cross-sectional study design in 9 health facilities in the Bolgatanga municipality. The study populations for this study consisted of pregnant women using antenatal services in the health facilities before the commencement of this current study and are residents of the Bolgatanga municipality. A multistage sampling strategy was used in the sampling of participants for this study with an estimated sample size of 422. Results: Findings show that the majority of 403 (95.5%) of the participants expect their male partner accompanies them during the antenatal care clinic. The chi-square test revealed that marital status had a significant influence on male partners’ support in house chore and support in antenatal care service (P-value of 0.001 and 0.002, <0.05). The level of education and region of the participants were found to have a relationship with the expectation of pregnant women that male partners help them in doing house chores antenatal care (P-value 0.027 and 0.000, <0.05). Conclusion: This study’s findings showed that pregnant women always want their male partners to accompany them to antenatal care and during labour and delivery. The pregnant women expected their male partners to be educated on the effects of pregnancy, how to take care of a pregnant woman, how to tolerate their partners, Sex during pregnancy, and how to prepare for emergencies (blood donation, transportation and finance).

Extent of male involvement and associated factors in antenatal care service utilization in Bench Sheko zone, Southwest Ethiopia: A community-based cross-sectional study.

In many low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), men are the key decision-makers and chief providers, often determining women's access to economic resources and maternal health services. Despite the important role of men in maternal healthcare, the involvement of male partners in maternal and child health in LMIC, including Ethiopia, is low. This study aims to assess the extent of male involvement and associated factors in antenatal care (ANC) service utilization in the Bench Sheko zone, Southwest, Ethiopia. A community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted in the Bench Sheko zone from February to May 2021. A multistage sampling technique was employed to select study participants. Variables with p-values <0.25 in binary logistic regression were selected as candidates for multiple logistic regression to determine independent factors associated with male involvement adjusting for sociodemographic, health service, personal, environmental, and knowledge-related factors. A total of 816 men took part in the study, with a 98.2% response rate. The prevalence of male involvement in ANC utilization was 38.2%. In multivariate analyses, residence (urban), age (25-34), education (diploma and above), income (≥2,500 Ethiopian Birr, ETB), and high knowledge of the advantages of ANC were shown to be positively associated with male involvement in ANC utilization. Male involvement in ANC utilization was low. Considering the importance of male involvement in maternal healthcare, we advocate for policies and strategies that can improve knowledge of the advantages of ANC among men and can enhance their engagement in maternal care. Special attention should be given to younger partners and those partners who live in rural areas.

Pregnancy and childbirth: male partner involvement in Uasin Gishu, Kenya

IntroductionIn many African countries, pregnancy and childbirth has traditionally been regarded as a woman’s affair. As a result, male partner involvement and participation in pregnancy and childbirth has been minimal, which is thought to have contributed to the high rate of maternal and neonatal morbidities and mortalities. Male partners are often key decision-makers in African households for cultural reasons, yet their role in pregnancy and childbirth is not clearly defined. The aim of this study was to examine and document male partner involvement in maternal healthcare in Kenya.MethodsA health facility-based cross-sectional descriptive study design was used. Systematic random sampling was used to select 384 women seeking maternal and child healthcare at Uasin Gishu County Hospital. The participants were interviewed using structured interviewer-administered questionnaires.ResultsAlmost a third of participants (32%) reported never being accompanied by their partners to maternity clinic visits, while 41% were accompanied only for HIV counselling and testing. Over half of respondents reported that their partners provided a fare or transport to the antenatal clinic (55%) and that they were supported when taking iron and folic acid supplements (58%). Just over a third of participants reported their partners took them to the hospital during labour (37%). Only 8% of male partners were present during labour and birth, 55% provided money to travel home after the birth and less than a fifth (19%) accompanied their wives home after birth.ConclusionsMale partner involvement in maternal care is very low in Uasin Gishu county. Male partner involvement needs to be recognised and addressed in health education because of the potential benefits to both maternal and child health outcomes. Health systems should focus on providing couple-friendly antenatal care services. Maternal health intervention strategies and policies that inadvertently isolate men from active engagement in antenatal and postnatal health programmes should be reviewed.

Community Perspective of Male Involvement in Maternal Health Care in Uttarakhand, India: A Qualitative Study.

Due to the significant role of male in decision making in India, they may decide if, when and where a woman may access antenatal, delivery and postnatal care; and whether or not to provide financial resources to travel to these services. Men's involvement in maternity care is recognized as a key strategy in improving maternal health and accelerating the reduction of maternal mortality. This study explores key components and challenges to male involvement in maternal health care (MHC). Focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with a purposive sample of the community key stakeholders from the field practice area of All India Institute of Medical Sciences, (AIIMS) Rishikesh from October 2020 to January 2021. Manual thematic analysis with a semantic approach was used for the data analysis. Themes were prioritized using Participatory rural appraisal (PRA) technique. Twenty-three participants represented the heterogeneous group of key stakeholders. Stakeholders identified the need for improved awareness regardingMHC services among men. Husband involvement is affected by availability (work stations at different places), literacy, gender-based work domain and social cultures, finances and health facility environment.Four major themes were identified: Male involvement in antenatal, intranatal; postnatal care; and barriers to male involvement in MHC. Sub-themes under male involvement inantenatal care; intranatal care; and postnatal care were further prioritized via PRA as 'very important'; 'important' and 'not so important' and scores were given as 3, 2 and 1 respectively. Male involvement is a key strategy to improve pregnancy outcome; however, different challenges exist in their involvement in the maternal health care. Current study helped to contextualize the perception regarding importance of male involvement in MHC; and the situation of study area in order to understand social and cultural factors that shape the behavior and practices of men in relation to their involvement.

The effectiveness of a behavioral science and design intervention for family savings on use of maternal health services and male involvement: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundLack of financial preparedness for pregnancy can lead to adverse outcomes during childbirth. Behavioral science interventions have been shown to influence savings behavior. Financial savings interventions can be adapted for the purpose of encouraging individuals to save towards maternal healthcare costs. This article describes a protocol to assess the effectiveness of an intervention formulated with a behavioral science approach for encouraging use of maternal health services through increased financial savings for birth preparedness and maternal healthcare costs among pregnant women or their partners in Uganda.MethodsA randomized controlled trial will be conducted to assess the effectiveness of the intervention among pregnant women or their partners in Uganda’s central region, including the capital of Kampala. Seven hundred pregnant women (12–35 gestational weeks) or their partners will be recruited. All participants will receive access to a committed mobile money health savings account provided by a local organization that also offers savings targets and reminders for antenatal care appointments and health tips as part of a “Mamas Program” offered to expectant mothers. The time period in the intervention is from the day of enrollment until two weeks after the delivery date. The control group will receive the standard Mama Program offering. The intervention group will receive the standard Mama Program offering plus behavioral designs encouraging savings behavior through short-message service (SMS) text messages. The primary outcome is usage of maternal health services measured by level of birth preparedness and delivery at a health facility. Secondary outcomes include male involvement in maternal healthcare, measured by financial support, as well as total savings for healthcare, assessed using the validated amount of savings accrued in participants’ clinicPesa accounts from the day of enrollment plus any withdrawals for healthcare expenditures during the intervention period.DiscussionThe study will contribute to a better understanding of the effectiveness of behavioral designs encouraging financial savings during pregnancy into committed mobile money health savings accounts. The study could contribute to demonstrating the effectiveness of savings on birth preparedness, usage of maternal health services, and male involvement in maternal healthcare.Trial registrationUMIN-CTR Clinical Trial, UMIN000046472. Registered on 19 January 2022. https://center6.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/icdr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000053008

Trends and correlates of male participation in maternal healthcare in a rural district in Ghana

Male participation in maternal healthcare is important for better-quality maternal health outcomes. This study assessed the trends and correlates of male participation in antenatal care (ANC), delivery and postnatal care (PNC) in the Jaman North District of Ghana. Longitudinal data from 2012 to 2019 on male involvement in maternal healthcare were extracted from health records. A cross-sectional survey was administered to a stratified random sample of 318 mothers, who registered for PNC in 2020. Line graphs were used to illustrate the trends of male participation, and binary logistic regression analysis used to identify the correlates of male participation. The results show consistently low rates of male participation in maternal healthcare, with relatively higher participation rates for delivery compared to ANC and PNC within 2012–2019. The prevalence of male participation in the survey was 52.52% for delivery, 31.76% for PNC and 23.58% for ANC. Male participation in ANC was associated with a higher likelihood (p < 0.05) for women aged ≤ 31years, married, educated, employed or had pregnancy-related complications, and a lower likelihood for those who stayed ≤ 3years with their partners (AOR= 0.171; 95%CI 0.059–0.490) or had ≤ 2 children (AOR= 0.108; 95%CI: 0.019–0.608). Christianity (AOR=2.708; 95% CI of 1.296–5.660), motorcycle transport (AOR=4.340; 95%CI: 2.386–7.898) and pregnancy-related complications (AOR=1.823; 95% CI: 1.002–3.315) were associated with a high likelihood of male participation in delivery. Polygyny (AOR=0.343; 95%CI: 0.139–0.848), ≤ 2 children (AOR=0.240; 95%CI 0.081–0 .715); and higher income (AOR=2.114; 95%CI: 1.202–3.718), were associated with low and high likelihoods of male participation in PNC, respectively. Given the low rates of male participation in maternal healthcare, community-level interventions such as drama and durbars on the importance of male participation should be targeted at the less educated, Muslims, newly married, low income and polygynous homes.

Associations Between Spousal Relationship, Husband Involvement, and Postpartum Depression Among Postpartum Mothers in West Java, Indonesia.

Introduction:Indonesia is actively promoting husband involvement in maternal health care, since it has been claimed to impact the wellbeing of mothers. This study aims to investigate the extent to which spousal relationship, husband involvement, and maternal health behavior affect postpartum depression among Indonesian mothers.Method:A survey was carried out among 336 postpartum mothers who received maternal care in 27 independent midwifery clinics in 7 regions of West Java Province, Indonesia. The measurement model of husband involvement comprising 4 dimensions, namely maternity care engagement, instrumental support, emotional support, and informational support were developed and validated using confirmatory factor analysis. The Quality of Marriage Index (QMI) and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) were also validated and used to measure spousal relationship and postpartum depressive symptoms. A structural equation model was specified to examine the association between spousal relationship, husband involvement, maternal healthy behavior, and postpartum depression.Results:The study confirms the assumption that the quality of the spousal relationship could determine husband’s involvement during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum (γ = .60, P < .001), eventually leading to better maternal healthy behavior (γ = .015, P < .001) and a decrease in postpartum depressive symptoms among mothers (γ = −.21, P < .001).Conclusions:The study results suggest the needs to promote comprehensive husband involvement to enhance the wellbeing of mothers. This can be achieved through couple interventions at the community level and the inclusion of a supportive role for husbands in the maternal and childcare guidebook offered during ANC visits.

\u201cI came to escort someone\u201d: Men\u2019s experiences of antenatal care services in urban Ghana\u2014a qualitative study

BackgroundMale involvement in maternal healthcare has been widely recognized as essential for positive health outcomes for expectant mothers and their unborn babies. However, few studies have explored men’s experiences of maternal health services. The purpose of this paper is to explore men’s involvement in antenatal care in urban Ghana and to discuss how men navigate their roles in a space that has been constructed as feminine. The study draws upon theories of space, place, and gender.MethodsA qualitative exploratory study using semistructured interviews, focus group discussion, and observation was conducted in Accra, Ghana. Expectant fathers and health workers were interviewed, and observation was conducted at a selected public hospital in Accra.ResultsThe findings suggest that the few men who attend antenatal care with their expecting partners become involved to a limited extent in the clinic’s activities. Beyond a few who take an active role, most men stay on the outskirts of the hospital grounds and rarely participate in consultations with their partner and midwife. Men still view their presence as necessary to acquire knowledge and as sources of emotional, financial, and physical support for their partners. On the health workers’ side, the study found no clear agenda for engaging men at the clinic, and nurses/midwives felt there was a lack of staff who could engage more directly with the men.ConclusionThe study indicates that most expecting fathers feel too shy and uncomfortable to locate themselves in the female space that makes up antenatal care/maternity wards. Health workers do not feel they have the necessary resources to involve men fruitfully. Thus, men do not engage in the activity as hoped but rather remain on the outskirts of the maternity clinic. However, if men continue to negotiate their involvement at the clinic and become more assertive in their roles, the maternity clinic as a female space could, with time, be transformed into a space in which both expecting mothers and fathers can actively participate and be engaged to the benefit of all.

Determinants of male involvement in maternal healthcare services in southwest Nigeria

Background/Aims In Nigeria, women's partners are often excluded from taking part in maternal healthcare, as a result of sociocultural norms. However, the involvement of male partners in maternal healthcare services has the potential to improve maternal health outcomes. This study examined factors associated with male involvement in maternal healthcare services in Ife Central, Osun State, Nigeria. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted, involving 265 men living in Ife Central who were married with at least one child, selected by multistage sampling. A structured questionnaire was used to assess men's knowledge of their expected roles in maternal healthcare, their perception of male involvement, and their current level of involvement in their spouse's healthcare. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were carried out to identify predictors of active male involvement in maternal healthcare, at a significance of P&lt;0.05. Results Approximately half (55.6%) of the respondents had good knowledge of the expected role of men in maternal healthcare services and 76.6% had a positive perception of this role. Overall, less than half (47.6%) of the participants were actively involved in maternal healthcare services. The participants most frequently reported that men's involvement was influenced by their degree of knowledge (92.4%), job schedule (92.0%), and clinic waiting time (86.4%), among others. Age (odds ratio=2.33, P=0.038), educational status (odds ratio=2.42, P=0.004) religion (odds ratio=2.34, P=0.012), occupation (odds ratio=2.81, P&lt;0.001) and level of knowledge (odds ratio=2.34, P=0.001) were found to be significantly associated with men's level of involvement in maternal healthcare services. However, only good level of knowledge (adjusted odds ratio=2.32, P=0.004) emerged as an independent predictor of men's level of involvement in maternal healthcare services. Conclusions The study concluded that men's involvement in maternal healthcare services was low, despite their positive perception towards it. Less than half of the participants had good knowledge regarding men's role in maternal healthcare, and this factor was identified as a significant predictor of level of involvement. Programmes and policies should aim to enhance men's knowledge of their role in maternal healthcare, and it may be necessary to restructure the healthcare delivery system to be more male friendly.

Benefits of and Barriers to Male Involvement in Maternal Health Care in Ibanda District, Southwestern, Uganda

Background: Male involvement in reproductive health care has been shown to have positive outcomes on the maternal and newborn’s health as they provide resources and make crucial decisions. However, male involvement in reproductive/maternal health care in Uganda is still low. The objective of this study was to explore community perspectives on benefits and barriers to men’s involvement in maternity care in southwestern Uganda. Methods: The study was a cross-sectional, exploratory study, in Ibanda district, southwestern Uganda Data collection was collected in May 2020, using qualitative methods, narrative interviews and analyzed using a content-based approach. The sampling was done purposively and 18 narrative interviews were conducted. Results: Eighteen (18) narrative interviews were conducted at households of the participants. The identified benefits of male’s involvement in reproductive care services included family wellbeing and health, health care services utilization, health care worker motivation and community improvement and development. The barriers that emerged included individual and behavioral factors like ignorance/knowledge, responsibility, excessive alcohol consumption, laziness and lack of money. Family and extended family factors included trust and cooperation by the couple, fidelity issues, domestic violence and family perceptions. The environment, cultural and gender factors like misperceptions of male involvement, the cultural beliefs about the role of men in reproductive issues and the gender norms. The health care services factors included timing of the services the attitude of the health workers and the availability and access to the health services. Conclusions: The benefits of male involvement in maternal health care include family wellbeing and health, health care services utilization, health worker motivation and community improvement and prosperity. The barriers to male involvement in antenatal, delivery and postnatal care include individual and behavioral, family and extended family, environmental, cultural and gender and health care services factors. Therefore interventions to improve male involvement should focus on the individual, family, cultural, gender and health care services factors.

Factors Influencing Male Participation in Maternal Health Care among Married Couples in Nepal: A Population-based Cross-sectional Study

Background The male involvement in maternal health care is essential to reduce obstetric complications. However, there is little known about factors contributing to male participation in maternal health in Nepal. Objective To assess predisposing, enabling and reinforcing factors contributing male participation in maternal health care in Nepal. Method A population based cross-sectional study was conducted among 374 married couples. Ethical approval was obtained from Institutional Review Board of Kathmandu Medical College Teaching Hospital. The data was collected, using modified Safe Motherhood and Partnership Family Approach Model. Multivariable logistic regression was applied to account associated paternal factors. Concentration curve and concentration index were computed to measure equity gap between lowest and highest quintiles. Result While four out of ten husbands reported high level of their involvement in maternal health care practices, wives reported relatively less involvement of their husbands. Logistic regression showed that husband having low family income, knows about immunization, contact with family planning providers were more likely to participate. In contrary, according to wives, husbands' who have ever been to health facility, discuss family planning with others, contact with family planning providers and who knows about exclusive breast feeding were less likely to participate. The study also showed that socio-economic factors play a significant role. Conclusion Male involvement in maternal health care practices is low. Predisposing, enabling and reinforcing factors play a significant role; however, some contradictions among husbands' and wives' perspectives provide strong evidence on significance of communication within partners on maternal health care issues.

Men in maternal health: an analysis of men's views and knowledge on, and challenges to, involvement in antenatal care services in a Tanzanian community in Dodoma Region.

Promoting men's involvement in antenatal care (ANC) requires an understanding of their views on how they ought to be involved. Their involvement in ANC services can help in reducing delay in deciding to seek care and facilitate women's access to skilled antenatal services. This study sought to determine men's views and knowledge on, and challenges to, involvement in ANC services in Tanzania. The cross-sectional study was carried out in four districts of Dodoma Region in November 2014 and June 2016. A multi-stage sampling strategy was used to select the study respondents. Data were collected by interviewing 966 men using a structured questionnaire. Univariate, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to examine the association between men's involvement in ANC services and their background characteristics. About 63.4% of respondents accompanied their partners to ANC services. Men's view was that they can be involved through accompanying their partner to ANC clinics and providing money for health services. Men who had poor knowledge on ANC services were two times less likely to be involved in ANC services. Similarly, long waiting times at the antenatal clinics decreased the likelihood of service utilization by their partners. Men from a two-income household were more likely to be involved in ANC services than men from households where the men's earnings were the only source of income. Challenges encountered by men during attendance at ANC services included: perception of antenatal clinics as places only for women, financial difficulties, influence of peer pressure and lack of time due to occupational demands. There is a need to establish community outreach ANC services that offer couple-friendly services in Tanzania. Also, it is crucial to have a policy for men's involvement in maternal health care that addresses cultural practices that hinder men's involvement in ANC services.

Barriers to husbands\u2019 involvement in maternal health care in Sidama zone, Southern Ethiopia: a qualitative study

BackgroundHusbands’ involvement in maternal care is considered as a crucial step in scaling up women’s utilization of the services. However, the factors related with how husband’s involvement in maternal health care have hardly been studied to date in the study areas. Therefore, this study aimed to explore barriers to husbands’ involvement in maternal health care, in Sidama zone, Southern Ethiopia.MethodsThe study employed a qualitative method. A pre-tested interview guide questions that prepared in English and translated in to Amharic language were used for data collection. The data were collected using focus group discussions, in-depth interviews and key-informants’ interview in April and May 2015. The data were analyzed thematically.ResultsThe study identified a range of factors that-deterred husbands to involve in their female partners’ maternal health care. These are childbirth is a natural process, pregnancy and childbirth are women’s business, preference for TBAs’ care and husband’s involvement in pregnancy and birth care is a new idea were identified as barriers for husbands’ involvement in maternal health care, in this study.ConclusionsA range of factors related with clients’ and service delivery factors’ were identified as barriers to husbands’ involvement in maternal health care. Based on the study findings we recommend a contextual based awareness creation programs about husbands’ involvement in maternal health care need to be established.

Perceptions of pregnant women regarding student accoucheurs’ involvement in maternal health care in the Free State Province

Worldwide midwifery has been regarded as a female domain until recently where female and male student nurses are trained to become midwives/accoucheurs. Most women are still reluctant to receive maternal healthcare from student accoucheurs. The purpose of the study was to explore and describe the perceptions of women regarding student accoucheurs’ involvement in maternal health care in the Free State Province. A descriptive, exploratory, qualitative research design was undertaken. The study was conducted in the Free State Province. Three regional hospitals, two district hospitals and five Primary Health Care clinics were purposefully selected to make a total of 10 maternal health care institutions that were used as data collection sites. Data was collected using one on one semi-structured interviews with 30 women in the post-partum period, 18 years of age and above, attending for post-natal health care services at the Free State maternal health care institutions. Data was organised and stored using ATLAS.ti program and analysed using Tesch’s open coding approach. The majority of the participants did not approve of student accoucheurs’ involvement in maternal health care. The perceptions of the participants were influenced by cultural beliefs, values, socio-economic factors and social interactions. The study findings cannot be generalized to the other provinces because the study was contextualized to the Free State Province. This study highlights the importance of understanding and consideration of cultural diversity in the provision of health care services.

The role of male partner in utilization of maternal health care services in Ethiopia: a community-based couple study

BackgroundEthiopia has recorded substantial progress in maternal health recently. However, poor utilization of maternal health care services is challenging further improvement. Although male partners are decision-makers in households, the impact of their involvement on maternal health care services has not been well studied. Thus, the objective of this study was to examine the association between male partners’ involvement in maternal health care on utilization of maternal health care services.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted on male/female couples with a baby less than 6 months old (N = 210) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The main independent variable of the study was male partners’ involvement in maternal health care. Two structured questionnaires were used to collect the data from men and women. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to examine the relationship between the dependent and independent variables.ResultsMean age in years was 28.7 (SD = 5.4) for women and 36.2 (SD = 8.8) for men. Half of the men (51.4%) have accompanied their partner to antenatal care (ANC) at least once. However, only 23.1% of them have physically entered the ANC room together. Overall involvement of male partners was poor in 34.8% of the couples (involved in two or fewer activities). After controlling for other covariates, the odds of having 1st ANC visit within the first trimester of pregnancy and skilled delivery attendant at birth were higher in women whose male partners took time to know what happened during ANC visits (AOR = 1.93; 95%CI = 1.04–3.60; AOR = 2.93; 95%CI = 1.24–5.6.90, respectively). Similarly, the odds of having at least one ANC visit, first ANC visit within twelve weeks, HIV testing, skilled birth attendant, and birth in a health facility were higher in couples with higher overall male partner involvement.ConclusionThe study demonstrated significant associations between male partners’ involvement in maternal health care and utilization of some maternal health care services by female partners.

Perception of pregnant women on maternity care services at the Volta Regional Hospital, Ghana

Background: Maternity period is crucial and sensitive in the life of women due to various physiological changes that take place in the body during pregnancy and after. These changes need close monitoring to help optimize maternal and foetal health. This study explored pregnant women’s perceptions of maternity care services in the Volta Regional Hospital.Methods: Multiparous women (170) in the Ante Natal Clinic responded to a pretested questionnaire. The sample size was determined using Fischer’s formula for sample size calculation. Respondents were chosen using the convenient sampling method. The data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20 in to descriptive statistics.Results: This study identified that women (42.5%) were never encouraged by health care providers to bring their partners during antenatal visits. Pregnant women (62.9%) reported that health care professionals did not allow their support persons including their husbands to be with them during labour. Women (34.1%) during labour were sometimes assaulted while 2.9% were always assaulted. Majority (74.2%) of the women received this five cardinal services that included vitamin K, eye care, cord care, bathing and immunization during the post natal period as 60.7% were introduced to family planning by midwives.Conclusions: Partner involvement in maternal health care needs to be encouraged by midwives to improve support from partners during pregnancy, labour and the post natal period. Support persons should be allowed to stay with women during labour to give the necessary support and encouragement and also take part in decision making concerning women’s care.