Male involvement in birth preparedness through health Facility community dialogue in kajiado county- Kenya

Abstract

Birth preparedness enables families to prepare for pregnancy thus increasing the uptake of antenatal care, skilled birthing, and postnatal care, enhancing readiness to handle pregnancy complications and first delays experienced in seeking obstetric care. Male partners influence maternal health outcomes due to their financial power and cultural endowment. Health facility community dialogue through maternity open days provides a platform for pregnant mothers, and their families/ community to interact with health care providers, visit maternity units, demystify birthing practices, and mitigate any fears/misconceptions/ myths about the birthing process thus empowering them on their reproductive health rights. Kenya has limited data on male involvement in birth preparedness through health facility community dialogue/maternity open days. The study objectives were to explore health system factors and nomadic cultural community factors that influence male involvement in birth preparedness through health facility community dialogue. Data was collected through structured guided interviews for focused group discussions on eighteen participants and two community health volunteers as key information informants. Health system factors that influence birth preparedness were; infrastructure: space, confidentiality, privacy, adequacy of beds/beddings, cleanliness, hot beverage/showers after birth, waiting time, and health care provider attitude. Nomadic cultural community factors were value-belief. The study showed the above factors hindered male involvement in birth preparedness.The county government of Kajiado to come up with health facility community dialogue forums on birth preparedness through open maternity days by having an annual budget.