Factors Influencing Male Involvement in Antenatal health care Services in Aber Sub-County, Oyam District.

Abstract

Background: Involvement of men in ANC is paramount for maternal outcome; this study was conducted to establish factors that influence male involvement in ANC in Aber Sub-county Oyam district in Northern Uganda. A cross-sectional descriptive study was done to determine male participation in antenatal care services. Results revealed low male involvement in ANC; men who did not attain any level of education were less likely to accompany their wives for ANC compared to those who attained at least some level of education (6.5%), the men who spend 1 hour or less to access ANC services have high chances of accompanying their wives for ANC with OR 6.965 CI (0.184, 264.134) than those who access ANC services in more than 2 hours with OR 1.44 CI(0.093, 22.593). The respondents who cover less than 5km have2.411 times higher chances of accompanying their wives for ANC than those who cover more than 5km.Conclusion the factors that have significant association with male involvement in ANC services includes: lack of privacy at the health facility, long distance covered to reach health facility, poor attitude of some health worker towards men, busy work schedule and culture. The most determinant factors include: long distance 10km and above, those who take 1 hour are more likely to accompany their wives for ANC compared to those take more than 2hours.Recommendation: The strengthening of intervention on public health education and community sensitization/awareness on importance of attending ANC services by men with their wives. The research findings also recommend construction of more health facilities to address problems of distance, improve community’s economic status by introducing modern farming and commercial farming.