| dc.description.abstract | Antenatal care is a direct entry to good maternal outcomes and pregnant mothers are very
vulnerable groups since pregnancy is change of physiology. It was of special interest to
understand roles of males during this period. This study aimed at determining social, health
system and knowledge, attitude factors affecting male partner involvement in ANC in
Namuwongo community.
Methodology: This study use a cross sectional research design, a sample size of 163
respondents who were male partners between 18-59 years with pregnant wives was selected
using tratified and simple random sampling methods. Data was collected using an open and
closed ended researcher administered questionnaire.
Results: Out of 163 majority 116 (71%) of the males partners never involved themselves in
antenatal care services while a few 47 (29%) involved themselves in antenatal care. Social
demographic factors that influenced male partner involvement in antenatal care services
included; age (χ 2 =8.59, P=0.035), level of education (χ 2 =6.06, P=0.014), marital status
(χ 2 =7.65, P=0.022), Occupation (χ 2 =18.43, P=0.001) and religion (χ 2 = 29.18, P=0.001).
Individual factors included; whether it was ideal to accompany a wife to attend ANC (χ 2 =
5.44, P=0.020), faith (χ 2 = 6.06, P=0.014), person responsible for antenatal care (χ 2 = 31.78,
P=0.001), time off work (χ 2 = 32.13 P=0.001) and monthly income (χ 2 =30.08, P=0.001).
Health services related factors included; seeking of ANC by the wife (χ 2 = 4.51 p=0.034),
availability of health care workers (χ 2 = 5.79 P=0.016), health education (χ 2 = 3.94 P=0.047),
source of health education (χ 2 = 12.73 P=0.005), behavior of health care workers (χ 2 = 5.79
P=0.055) and waiting time (χ 2 = 40.18 P=0.001).
Conclusion: There was low male partner involvement in antenatal care services among
respondents in Namuwongo community. It was mainly due to old age, low level of education,
and being single. Individually, failure to get time off work, low incomes and negative
perception of one responsible for ANC. Health services factors included; seeking of ANC by
wife, availability of health care workers, health education, source of health education,
behavior of health care workers and waiting time.
Recommendations: Intensive community sensitization about the roles and responsibility of
men during ANC is required. There is massive need to extend health facilities near to the
communities to bring services nearer to people. Extra services like malaria, scanning and
ART services to pregnant mothers and HIV positive couples would increase men‘s
involvement and boost good maternal outcomes. | en_US |
