Globally, male involvement in maternal health care
services has been identified as a critical predictor of
improved maternal health outcomes. In a patriarchal
country such as Nigeria, pregnancy and childbirth are
typically considered to be completely a woman’s
domain, yet the role of males in maternity care in Africa
is poorly researched, despite their economic domination
and decision-making authority. This study therefore
assessed the level of involvement of men in the maternity
care of their partners in some selected health facilities in
Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State. This study adopted a descriptive
cross-sectional research design. Simple random sample
technique was used to select 381 (respondents) spouses
of booked pregnant women who met the eligibility
criteria. The data were generated using adapted
structured, questionnaires with a reliability coefficient
of 0.82. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package
for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0 presented in
frequencies, percentages, and tables. Inferential
statistics were used for hypotheses testing at a 0.05%
level of significance. The demographic result of this
study shows that the mean age of the respondents was
33.5 ± 0.45 with most respondents within the age range
of 30-39 years (37%). Further findings show that the
educational status of majority of respondents are in
secondary school (53.8%), those who are Yoruba
(73.5%) with three children (50.9%). Result also
indicates that the religion of majority respondents is
Christianity (63.8%), the type of family is monogamy,
(79%), resident in urban area (70.1%) and are artisans
(33.9%). Further findings reveals that respondents are
highly knowledgeable about maternal-related issues
(70.6%), perception of respondents concerning certain
roles men can be involved in pregnancy is positive (51%)
and the level of involvement of participants is average
(52%). Lastly, this study noted that the barriers to male
involvement in maternity care include financial status (57.1%), Lack of knowledge on the role of men in
maternity care (65.8%) and Lack of facilities that involve
males in maternity care (68%). Meanwhile, there is a
significant relationship between respondents’
knowledge of maternal-related issues and their
involvement in pregnancy-related care. In conclusion,
health promotion initiatives that provide men with useful
information about what to expect and how to prepare for
pregnancy, delivery, and postnatal should be organised.
- GBEMISOLA | BOLANLE | OGBEYE | gbemisola.ogbeye@fuoye.edu.ng | +2348075753175, AYO-IGE | FOLAKEMI | ESTHER | ayoigef@gmail.com | +2348038171464, ALUKO | JOEL | OJO | joelforfavour@gmail.com | 07015055376, NIFEMI | TUNRAYO | BABALOLA | nifeturayo@gmail.com | +2348167705280
- Male involvement; maternity care; knowledge; perception.
- ASSESSMENT OF MALE INVOLVEMENT IN MATERNITY CARE IN SELECTED HEALTH FACILITIES
