Men’s Knowledge of Obstetric Danger Signs, Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness in Rural Tanzania

Abstract

BackgroundMen’s involvement in reproductive health is recommended. Their involvement in antenatal care service is identified as important in maternal health. Awareness of obstetric danger signs facilitates men in making a joint decision with their partners regarding accessing antenatal and delivery care. This study aims to assess the level of knowledge of obstetric complications among men in a rural community in Tanzania, and to determine their involvement in birth preparedness and complication readiness.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted where 756 recent fathers were invited through a two-stage cluster sampling procedure. A structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of danger signs and steps taken on birth preparedness and complication readiness. Data were analyzed using bivariate and multivariable logistic regression to determine factors associated with being prepared, with statistically significant level at p<0.05.ResultsAmong the invited men, 95.9% agreed to participate in the community survey. Fifty-three percent could mention at least one danger sign during pregnancy, 43.9% during delivery and 34.6% during the postpartum period. Regarding birth preparedness and complication readiness, 54.3% had bought birth kit, 47.2% saved money, 10.2% identified transport, 0.8% identified skilled attendant. In general, only 12% of men were prepared. Birth preparedness was associated with knowledge of danger signs during pregnancy (AOR = 1.4, 95% CI: 1.8-2.6). It was less likely for men living in the rural area to be prepared (AOR=0.6, 95% CI; 0.5-0.8).ConclusionThere was a low level of knowledge of obstetric danger signs among men in a rural district in Tanzania. A very small proportion of men had prepared for childbirth and complication readiness. There was no effect of knowledge of danger signs during childbirth and postpartum period on being prepared. Innovative strategies that increase awareness of danger signs as well as birth preparedness and complication readiness among men are required. Strengthening counseling during antenatal care services that involve men together with partners is recommended.

Assessment of Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness among Pregnant Mothers Attending Ante Natal Care Service in Mizan-Tepi University Teaching Hospital, South West Ethiopia

“…This finding is not in line with the previous studies done in Tanzania, Uganda and Dire Dawa city in Ethiopia [15,13,20,[23][24][25][26]. This might indicate that delivery charge free service for maternal and child care are being valuable and societies are utilizing well.…”

Perceptions about the cultural practices of male partners during postpartum care in rural Tanzania: a qualitative study

“…The fact that certain issues and periods are considered ‘feminine’, instead of stereotyping and disempowering women, may contribute towards empowering them, for example by leaving women to control all activities involving postpartum mothers and having an influence in the decision to seek care. Findings from another study in Tanzania also supported the relevant role of women, especially elderly women, during delivery and postpartum [18]. However, as other authors point out, when men lose power in certain areas they may try to compensate for this temporarily disempowered position by exercising power in more explicit ways, such as through violence against women [54,55].…”

“…Previous studies in many countries, including Tanzania, show similar results, namely women depending on their male partners to make decisions on whether and where to seek medical care, which limits women’s right to sexual and reproductive health [17,18,38,41,43,44]. However, this prevalent position is not universal [34].…”

“…In Tanzania, reproductive and child health policies and guidelines acknowledge the importance of promoting men’s involvement during all the stages of the continuum of maternal and newborn care [18,32–35]. While there has been an increase in men’s involvement in antenatal care services, especially in prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission programs, their involvement in postpartum care remains low.…”

Challenges in day-to-day midwifery practice; a qualitative study from a regional referral hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

“…Higher levels of education have been shown to increase the use of delivery services [29]. Focusing on a general increase in education in the region, with emphasis on awareness of danger signs during pregnancy and delivery [30], might therefore have an effect on birth outcome, and help eliminate the problem of seeking professional help too late.…”