Men’s knowledge and involvement on obstetric danger signs, birth preparedness and complication readiness in Burayu town, Oromia region, Ethiopia

Abstract

BackgroundMen’s involvement in obstetrics care is an important strategy in reducing preventable maternal morbidity and mortality. This is particularly important in developing countries where men often make decision on financial, health and other family issues. Hence, the objective of this study was to assess men’s knowledge and involvement in obstetric danger signs; birth preparedness and complication readiness in Burayu town administration, Oromia, Ethiopia.MethodsA community based cross-sectional study was conducted in Burayu town administration, Oromia Region from May 2016 to July 2016. Multistage with systematic random sampling techniques were employed. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed using SPSS version 20. P-value less than 0.05 were taken as a cutoff point to declare significant association.ResultA total of 523 men were involved in the study. The mean and ± SD age of the study participant was 36.6 ± 7 years. Majority of the participants were Orthodox religion followers and, employees of private organization, regarding residency majority were residing in urban setting.Pregnancy related vaginal bleeding was the most familiar danger sign recognized by the study participants which was 342(65.4%).From the total, 441(84.3%) of men were highly involved in preparation of arranging for postpartum cultural food expenses, 345(66.0%) for clean clothes both for the baby and mother; and 71–76% participants were involved in availing transport money for antenatal, delivery and postnatal care. The study revealed that educational status of men, monthly income, knowledge of pregnancy danger sign, delivery and post-delivery care, and knowledge of birth preparedness and complication readiness (BP/CR) were significantly associated with men’s involvement in BP/CR.ConclusionMajority of participants had knowledge on obstetric danger sign. Men showed low interest to donate blood to their wives during antenatal, delivery and postpartum care. There is a need continued awareness creation on danger sings as well as birth preparedness.

Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness among Antenatal Women in a Tribal Area of a Central District, Kerala

“…Mean age at marriage of the women was 20.517 ± 3.265 years in this study which is more than the mean age at marriage in a study done Madhya Pradesh by Deoki Nandan which was 17.21±1.925 years (5). Mean age of husbands in this study was 29.5 ± 4.9years but in study carried out in Oromia region Ethiopia by Gize et al was 36.6 ± 7 years (16).…”

Effects of health education on spousal knowledge and participation in birth preparedness in Farafenni Regional Hospital, The Gambia: a randomized trial

“…Similar findings were reported in a study on the effect of a community intervention on the utilization of maternal health care in South-west Ethiopia, that the most known obstetric danger signs were vaginal bleeding, fever, and headache [ 21 ]. Pregnancy-related vaginal bleeding was the most familiar danger sign recognized by the men in a study conducted in Burayu Town, Ethiopia [ 22 ]. Mullany and colleagues also conducted a study in Nepal and reported that the couples had increased knowledge of danger signs of pregnancy as compared to those in the control group [ 23 ].…”

Male knowledge of birth preparedness in Ogun State, Nigeria: A rural/urban comparative cross-sectional study

“…This safeguards against undesirable health outcomes for women and newborns (22). What men know concerning birth preparedness has substantial influence in their participation in maternity care in a positive direction (12,23), and subsequently in the utilization of maternal health services (23).…”

“…In some instances, it is the health workers who deliberately exclude men from getting the necessary information about maternal care (10). Other factors responsible for poor male knowledge include low facility delivery of pregnant women and insufficient public health awareness programs (12). Strategies that can improve male participation in maternal health such as enhancing their knowledge of the subject should be given priority; bearing in mind the significant role of the man in ensuring positive maternal health outcomes (11).…”