MEN’S INVOLVEMENT IN CARE AND SUPPORT OF WOMEN DURING PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH AMONG MOTHERS ATTENDING ANTENATAL CARE AT ENTEBBE REGIONAL REFERRAL HOSPITAL. A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

Lilian Nalwanga; Habert  Mpamize; Immaculate Prosperia Naggulu; Jane Frank  Nalubega

doi:10.51168/sjhrafrica.v6i3.1545

Authors

Lilian Nalwanga School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mildmay Institute of Health Sciences.
Habert Mpamize School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mildmay Institute of Health Sciences.
Immaculate Prosperia Naggulu School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mildmay Institute of Health Sciences.
Jane Frank Nalubega School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mildmay Institute of Health Sciences.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51168/sjhrafrica.v6i3.1545

Keywords:

Men’s Involvement, Care and Support of Women, Pregnancy and Childbirth, Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital

Abstract

Background

Men are involved in support of women during pregnancy and childbirth, as men participate in decisions and activities that will improve women's and child health outcomes. Therefore, this study aimed to assess men’s involvement in the care and support of women during pregnancy and childbirth among mothers attending antenatal care at Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital.

Methodology

A descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed to select 40 mothers. A simple random sampling method was used, and data was collected using a semi-structured researcher-administered questionnaire with both open and close-ended questions. Microsoft Excel was used for data analysis.

Results

This study revealed that 65% of the respondents’ husbands had a monthly income of between 100000-300000 Uganda shillings, Half of the husbands to the respondents always provided transport costs to the health facility, and 52% of the husbands never had time to escort their wives for ANC. The findings of the current study indicated that 70% of the respondents agreed that the health workers encouraged men to escort their wives to ANC. However, 37.5% of the respondents believed men were not motivated to attend ANC. 85% of the participants reported having no cultural norms that ban men from accessing labor wards and ANC. However, 50% believed it is the responsibility of the in-laws to care for the woman during childbirth.

In conclusion

Increasing men’s involvement in maternal care requires a multi-faceted approach that addresses financial, cultural, and health facility-related barriers. By creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for men, both at home and within healthcare settings, maternal and child health outcomes can be significantly improved.

Recommendation

Health facilities should be more couple-friendly by offering services that encourage male involvement, such as priority service for couples attending ANC together and promoting couple-specific health education.

References

Adeniran, A. S., Aboyeji, A. P., Fawole, A. A., Balogun, O. R., Adesina, K. T., & Adeniran, P.I. (2015). Male partner's role during pregnancy, labor, and delivery: Expectations of pregnant women in Nigeria. International journal of health sciences, 9(3), 305.

Audet, C. M., Sack, D. E., Ndlovu, G. H., Morkel, C., Harris, J., Wagner, R. G., & Seabi, T. M. (2023). Women want male partner engagement in antenatal care services: A qualitative study of pregnant women from rural South Africa. PLoS One, 18(4), e0283789. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0283789

Bradley, S., McCourt, C., Rayment, J., & Parmar, D. (2016). Disrespectful intrapartum care during facility-based delivery in sub-Saharan Africa: a qualitative systematic review and thematic synthesis of women's perceptions and experiences. Social science & medicine, 169, 157-170. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2016.09.039

Davis-Floyd, R. E., & Sargent, C. F. (2023). Childbirth and authoritative knowledge: Cross-cultural perspectives. Univ of California Press. https://doi.org/10.2307/jj.2711580

Gibore, N. S., & Bali, T. A. (2020). Community perspectives: An exploration of potential barriers to men's involvement in maternity care in a central Tanzanian community. PLoS One, 15(5), e0232939. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0232939

Kariuki, K. F., & Seruwagi, G. K. (2016). Determinants of male partner involvement in antenatal care in Wakiso District, Uganda. Br J Med Med Res, 18(7), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.9734/BJMMR/2016/28056

Kiptoo, S. J., & Kipmerewo, M. (2017). Male partner involvement in antenatal care services in Mumias East and West sub-counties, Kakamega County, Kenya. IOSR J Nurs Health Sci, 6(4), 37-46.

Maluka, S. O., & Peneza, A. K. (2018). Perceptions on male involvement in pregnancy and childbirth in Masasi District, Tanzania: a qualitative study. Reproductive health, 15, 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-018-0512-9

Mkandawire, E., & Hendriks, S. L. (2018). A qualitative analysis of men's involvement in maternal and child health as a policy intervention in rural Central Malawi. BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 18, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-018-1669-5

Nawaz, S., Koser, M., Boota, A., & Shabbir, M. S. (2021). The effects of cultural limitations, constitution, feminism, and sexual orientation status among the women in Pakistani families. Pakistan Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 9(3), 526-534-526-534. https://doi.org/10.52131/pjhss.2021.0903.0157

Nkwonta, C. A., & Messias, D. K. (2019). Male participation in reproductive health interventions in Sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review. International Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 45, 71-85. https://doi.org/10.1363/45e8119

Nyirenda, C. A. (2015). An evaluation of the communication strategies used by the Mkushi District Community Medical Office to promote male involvement in Ante Natal Care

Rahman, A. E., Perkins, J., Salam, S. S., Mhajabin, S., Hossain, A. T., Mazumder, T., & Arifeen, S. E. (2020). What do women want? An analysis of preferences of women, involvement of men, and decision-making in maternal and newborn health care in rural Bangladesh. BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 20, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-020-2854-x

Tusimire, M. (2017). Assessment of knowledge, attitude, and practices of men towards accompanying their spouses for antenatal care at KIUTH Bushenyi District.

Van der Meulen, R., Veringa-Skiba, I., Van Steensel, F., Bögels, S., & De Bruin, E. (2023). Mindfulness-based childbirth and parenting for pregnant women with high fear of childbirth and their partners: outcomes of a randomized controlled trial assessing short- and longer-term effects on psychological well-being, birth, and pregnancy experience. Midwifery, 116, 103545. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2022.103545

Vandenberg-Daves, J. (2014). Modern Motherhood: An American History. Rutgers University Press.

Vermeulen, E., Solnes Miltenburg, A., Barras, J., Maselle, N., Van Elteren, M., & Van Roosmalen, J. (2016). Opportunities for male involvement during pregnancy in Magu district, rural Tanzania. BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 16, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-016-0853-8

Yaya, S., Okonofua, F., Ntoimo, L., Udenigwe, O., & Bishwajit, G. (2019). Men's perception of barriers to women's use and access of skilled pregnancy care in rural Nigeria: a qualitative study. Reproductive health, 16, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-019-0752-3