Knowledge Attitude And Practice Towards Male Involvement In Antenatal Care Services In Kiswa Health Center Iii, Nakawa Division, Kampala District.

Abstract

Background : Antenatal care is the routine health control of the recognized strong pregnant women without symptoms in order to diagnose diseases and provide data about life style, pregnancy and delivery. Still some mothers do not receive these services. This study was to determine the knowledge, to assess the attitude and practice of male partner towards involvement in antenatal care services.

Methods: The study adopted a descriptive and cross-sectional design. Data was collected using structured questionnaires. Convenience sampling was used to select participants. SPSS was used to analyze the quantitative data. A total of 123 pregnant women attending antenatal clinic (ANC) without their spouses participated in the study in January, 2018 at Kiswa health center III in Nakawa division, Kampala district.

Results: The practice of male involvement in antenatal care was assessed among 123 women attending ANC clinic of Kiswa health center III. Majority of the respondents 58(47.2%) were aged between 26-34 years. More than half 86(69.9%) were in monogamous. 49(39.8%) had only secondary school level of education and 40(32.5%) had tertiary/university education. More than three thirds of the family was living together 95(77.2%). Concerning the husband‟s occupation 58(47.2%) were business men while 29(21.9%) were in civil service. Majority of the respondents (56.9%) of male partners were involved in various ANC activities while 43.1% of the respondents reported that their male counterparts were not involved in antenatal care services. Most respondents (85.4%) reported that their partners had significant knowledge on antenatal care however a significant percentage lacked knowledge on antenatal care (36.6%). Almost all respondents (91.1%) reported that antenatal care centers were hard to reach. A significant number of respondents reported men were involved in antenatal care However; there were significantly more respondents who reported that men were not involved.

Conclusions: Health promotion, training and raising awareness about male involvement in antenatal care services to midwives and nurses to improve communication skills and be sensitive to women‟s socio-demographics and cultural norms. This could aid in ablating complications faced by expectant mothers during prenatal period and thus improve on male involvement in ANC.