Social demographic determinants of male participation in antenatal care in Nyamagana District, Tanzania

Abstract

Introduction: Globally, poor male participation in antenatal care (ANC) and reproductive health issues is still a challenge towards improvement of maternal and child health. Quality antenatal care and birth outcomes depend on the shared responsibility between men and women.
 Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the level of male participation in ANC and the associated social demographic determinants.
 Method: The study was cross-sectional and was based in the community in the Nyamagana district, Tanzania. Male partners aged 18-49 years were interviewed using the four dichotomized (yes or no) variables to determine the level of male participation in ANC. The data were analyzed by using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Version 24). Chi-square test was used to determine the association between demographic characteristics and the level of male involvement in ANC.
 Results: The level of male participation was high in this study (76.3%). Men with a primary level of education were twice (AOR 2.15, 95% CI [1.15– 4.02], p-value 0.01) as likely to participate in ANC compared to men with no formal education. If the number of children was more than two, there was a significant association with male participation in ANC (OR 1.57, 95% CI [1.12–1.77], p =0.02).
 Conclusion: The level of male participation in ANC is high in Nyamagana district. The number of children and level of education are social demographic determinants of male participation in ANC.

Views of Men Regarding Not Availing Antenatal Care for Their Pregnant Partners in West Bengal

“…It has been found from this study that as the age of the men is increasing, a greater proportion of husbands are not availing ANC check-ups because their wives have already given birth to children. This is supported by the findings of studies that highlighted the fact that the participants who had less than four children were more likely to be involved in ANC compared to those with five or more children (Chamos et al, 2022;Nyamai et al, 2022;Sarvar & Sonavane, 2018). Kassahun et al (2018) opined that being from rural residences increases the likelihood of not availing ANC services.…”

“…The educational qualification of the male partners is a significant factor that explains increased awareness and ANC check-ups of pregnant wives (Akinpelu & Oluwaseyi, 2014; Chamos et al, 2022; Gnanaselvam et al, 2019; Simkhada et al, 2010; Singh et al, 2021). In the present study, a majority of the participants engaged in the organised sector pointed to a lack of communication between couples as the reason, and those men working as skilled or unskilled labourers and agricultural workers stated that they did not think ANC was required and already had children before as two dominant reasons.…”