MALE INVOLVEMENT IN MATERNAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES IN AKINYELE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, IBADAN, NIGERIA

Abstract

Reduction in maternal mortality can be met through successful male involvement in maternal health care services. The significance of male involvement in maternal health care services cannot be under-estimated as it encourages women's demand and use of such services. In Nigeria, studies have focused less on market women to examine likely targets for improving involvement of their husbands in pregnancy and delivery. Hence, the study was designed to determine roles of husbands in pregnancy and delivery, socio-demographic factors associated with involvement of husbands in pregnancy and delivery, and likely targets for improving male involvement in pregnancy and delivery. The study was a descriptive cross-sectional survey conducted in selected markets situated in the main towns of Akinyele Local Government Area, Ibadan. A two-stage sampling technique with clustering and stratification was used to select 383 consenting market women of childbearing age with most recent live birth in the past five years. A semi-structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to elicit information on socio-demographic characteristics and report of roles of husbands in pregnancy and, delivery. In-depth interviews were also conducted. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test and binary logistic regression models at p= 0.05, while qualitative data were analysed thematically. The age of women was 33.8 ± 4.9 years, 67.4% were educated, 30.6% lived in rural areas, and 69.4% lived in urban areas. Majority (91.2%) of women reported to be encouraged by their husbands to attend clinics as 93.2% reported that their husbands paid antenatal bills, 92.1% reported that their husbands paid for transport to clinics, and 90.6% reported that their husbands reminded them of clinic visits. About three-quarters (72.1 %) of women reported to be accompanied by their husbands to clinics for last delivery, 77.4% reported to have their husbands present at last delivery, and 67.9% reported to be assisted by their husbands in household chores during last pregnancy. Educated women had a significant higher proportion (76.4%) of escorts to clinics than less-educated (63.1 %). Women living in. rural areas had a significant lower proportion (47.1 %) of assistants in household chores during last pregnancy than those living in urban areas (77.1 % ). Educated women were more likely to be accompanied to clinics for last delivery compared to the less-educated counterparts (OR: 1.67;95% CI: 1.01-2. 77). Sociodemographic factors associated with women having their husbands present at last delivery were: education of husbands, ethnic group and family union. Women living in rural areas were less likely to be assisted in household chores during last pregnancy compared to those living in urban areas (OR:0 .28;95% CI :0.17-0.4 7). The in-depth interviews also indicated satisfactory involvement of husbands in pregnancy and delivery. Increased male involvement is desirable in some aspects, therefore, education, family union, ethnic group and location are socio-demographic factors to be considered when developing strategies to improve male involvement.