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

Abstract

Globally, male partner involvement in antenatal care and skilled delivery services remains a challenge to effective management of maternal health. Maternal morbidities and mortalities have been increasing due to the underutilization of antenatal care and skilled delivery attendance at a global level. However, developed countries have had a different story on male partner involvement in antenatal care and skilled delivery attendance – most male partners are involved in the process. But sub-Saharan Africa in the global south records the highest percentage of male partners who are never active in accompanying their female counterparts to visit antenatal care and skilled delivery. In Kenya male involvement in maternal services remains low despite it being recognized as one of the pillars of safe motherhood. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate male partner involvement in promoting antenatal care and skilled delivery attendance in Bumula Sub-County of Bungoma County in Kenya. It focused on the level of male partners involvement in maternal health. The study adopted a cross-sectional design. The target populations were married men and community health volunteers. The study had a sample size of 427 persons. Data was collected using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire, key in-depth interview guides, focused group discussion guides and observation checklist. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics with the aid of the Statistical Package for Social Scientist version 25. Data were presented using tables, figures, narratives and direct quotes. The study found a low level of male involvement (18%) in promoting antenatal care and skilled delivery attendance. Most of the male partners (83.1%) did not plan with their partners for ANC and skilled delivery services, however, (54.1%) accompanied their partners to the clinics. The study concluded There was a low level of male partner involvement in ANC and skilled delivery attendance. About 18% of male partners were involvement in ANC and skilled delivery attendance. There was an improvement of male partner involvement in accompaniment and provision of support. The study recommended that the two levels of government through the Ministry of Health should create awareness campaigns and public education with a targeted massage on negative cultural practices/mindset that hinder male partner involvement in maternal health services in the Bumula sub-county.

The Effects of Socio-Demographic Factors on Male Partner Involvement in Antenatal Care Among Households: A Case of Kaptimbor Village Baringo Central Sub-County, Kenya

“…When asked the number of times they accompanied their partner to the ANC clinic, the majority of the respondents 51.6% and 25.8% indicated four and three times respectively. This finding is in contrast to the findings of the study done in Bumula Sub-County where the majority of the male partners (54.1%) went to antenatal appointments and skilled deliveries with their female partners at least once (Nyang'au et al, 2021). According to (Kasagama et al, 2022), the rise in the percentage of expectant women who receive four or more ANC visits over time is mostly attributable to the early start of ANC.…”

“…The experience of male partners participating in prenatal care and competent delivery services has been different in industrialized countries. Most male partners are involved in the process (Nyang'au et al, 2021).…”

“…With few male partners participating in the stated maternity services, Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest rate of maternal morbidities and mortalities. Men never participate in antenatal and skilled delivery service planning or accompany their female counterparts to antenatal clinics and hospitals for skilled delivery (Nyang'au et al, 2021).…”

“…Despite being acknowledged as one of the foundations of safe motherhood, male participation in maternal services is still low in Kenya (Nyang'au et al, 2021). The improvement of prenatal care services depends heavily on male participation (Ongeso, 2018).…”

“…Effective management of maternal health continues to be hampered by male partner participation in prenatal care and skilled delivery services on a global scale. Because prenatal care and professional delivery attendance are underutilized globally, maternal morbidities and fatalities have been rising (Nyang'au et al, 2021). In Nigeria and other developing nations, maternal mortality is still a problem for public health, and pregnancy-related factors account for the majority of cases.…”