Adult male involvement in maternity care in Enugu State, Nigeria: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Men are the key decision makers in the family and play a crucial role in the reproductive health of partners, in Nigeria. This study assessed adult male involvement in maternity care in Enugu south local government area, Enugu State, Nigeria. METHODS This community-based study was conducted using a cross-sectional survey design. A total of 145 respondents were selected through multi-stage sampling and data were collected using a structured questionnaire developed by the researchers. Data generated were statistically analyzed based on the research objectives using descriptive statistics. RESULTS Major findings revealed that the respondents had moderate knowledge on the expected role of males in maternity care with the majority, assessed using a 4-point Likert scale, having a moderate (2.99) level of involvement in maternity care. Lack of facilities that encourage male participation in maternity care, work schedule of the male partner, and lack of knowledge on the role of the male partners during maternity care were identified as major barriers to male involvement in maternity care with means of 3.80, 3.58 and 3.48, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Involvement in maternity care among the respondents in this study was moderate. However, men may be restricted by some cultural beliefs such as maternity care being regarded as exclusively a woman's matter. Thus, men should be educated on the importance of their role as partners in maternity care and on the need to participate actively, regardless of existing cultural norms. Hospitals should also promote policies that encourage male presence during birth and delivery rooms need to be designed to allow bonding of partners during birth.

Male Partner Involvement in Promoting Antenatal Care and Skilled Delivery Attendance in Bumula Sub-County, Kenya

“…Poor spousal communication was an impeder to planning for maternal health services in Ghana [15]. Male partners involvement in antenatal care was still below the World Health Organisation threshold [16]- [19]. The weakness of these studies in Sub-Saharan Africa investigated only antenatal care and left skilled birth services.…”

Male Partners Involvement in Maternal Health: A Community-based Cross-sectional Descriptive Study in Urban and Rural Settings in Anambra, Nigeria

“…The sample size was determined based on the sample size formula for cross-sectional studies in populations greater than 10,000 stated thus [25]: n=Z 2 pq/ d 2 , where n= minimum sample size; Z=Standard normal deviate set at 1.96 (95% confidence interval); p = prevalence of male involvement in maternal health. Mbadugha, et al, reported 39% of respondents who reminds their partners of her medications, antenatal visits and other examinations in Achara Enugu South LGA of Enugu State, [18], while q=1-p, i.e. p=0.39 and q=0.61, with d = Maximum allowable error (5% = 0.05) [25].…”

“…Here, fathers and other males in the community facilitate access to better healthcare facilities and services for women and girls [14,15]. A male is involved if he is present, accessible, available, understanding, willing to learn about the pregnancy process and willing to provide emotional, physical and financial support to the woman carrying the child [16][17][18]. However, there remains a wide gap between male partner involvement policies and the actual involvement in maternal health [18] .…”

“…A male is involved if he is present, accessible, available, understanding, willing to learn about the pregnancy process and willing to provide emotional, physical and financial support to the woman carrying the child [16][17][18]. However, there remains a wide gap between male partner involvement policies and the actual involvement in maternal health [18] . The maternal and child health policy document by the Anambra State government, describes the need for male partners involvement.…”

Prevalence and predictors of men's involvement in pregnancy care in Modakeke, Southwest Nigeria

“…For example, educational and economic disparities can play a critical role in shaping men's involvement in pregnancy care as men with higher levels of education and income may have more resources and ability to participate actively ( 7 , 11 ). Also, men's own perceptions and expectations about their roles during pregnancy and the prevailing socio-cultural norms and stereotypes that delineate roles across gender divides can influence participation as many cultures typically feminize activities relating to pregnancy and childbirth ( 8 , 12 , 19 , 20 ). Unhospitable attitude of maternity care staff, exclusion of men from obstetric care activities and unconducive facility environment may have negative impact on men's level of engagement ( 10 , 14 , 21 ).…”