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

Abstract

Antenatal care (ANC) is essential for the health of both the mother and the baby. Though females are the direct receivers of this care, yet the understanding of their husbands is crucial in determining the pregnant women’s access to ANC. NFHS–5 ( National Family Health Survey, 2019–2020 ) has reported that about 5.6% of women in West Bengal aged 15–49 who had a live birth in the five years preceding the survey had no ANC visit during their pregnancy. In this study, both qualitative and quantitative techniques have been used to understand the views of men whose female partners did not receive any ANC during their pregnancy in West Bengal. Data collection has been done from 130 respondents using a structured questionnaire, and then, statistical analysis has been performed using SPSS. Qualitative data have been collected from nine selected participants through telephonic interview. The result is that men’s views for their pregnant partners not availing ANC are influenced by the place of residence, educational qualification and number of children (statistically significant at p value < .05). However, lack of awareness, financial constraint, poor spousal relationship and inaccessibility to the maternity clinics are a few important reasons that have been focused in this study.