| dc.description.abstract | Introduction: The benefits of involving men in women’s reproductive services and child delivery in particular are well recognized and have been advocated by many (Clark, 2001). The failure to incorporate men in maternal health promotion, prevention and care programs by policy makers, program planners and implementers of maternal health services has had a serious impact on the health of women, and the success of programs (Greene et al, 2003). Yet the huge majority of African women are still unaware of their fundamental rights to health and they continue to suffer from socioeconomic discrimination which is harmful to their health (WHO, 2008).
Objectives: These were: To assess the level of male involvement during child birth in Rugando Sub-County; To establish the health system related factors and the existing programs affecting male involvement during child birth in Rugando Sub-County; To assess the social economic factors affecting male involvement during child birth in Rugando Sub-County
Methodology: The health workers in health facilities and Village Health Team members (key informants), mothers who deliver in health facilities and their partners were the respondents and Focus Groups were the respondents. Using Kish and Keslie formula for cross sectional studies the sample size was determined. Purposive sampling was used to select the health facility. Health Centre IV was selected purposely since it was the only facility that conducted deliveries in the study area. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select the sample units. Both qualitative and quantitative data was collected and analyzed using SPSS (12.0). Univariate, and Multivariate logistic regression statistical analyses were used in the study.
Results: 87 percent respondents agreed that men were involved in the delivery and health care services and 13 percent indicated that men were not involved in the delivery and health care services.
The attitudes of health workers towards clients and accessibility of the health facility were strongly associated to male involvement during child delivery [X2= 26.21, p-valve= less than 0.0001] and [x2=30.31, p-valve= less than 0.0001] correspondingly. Also males not being allowed in maternity rooms was strongly associated with male involvement during child delivery[x2=8.26, p-valve=0.004]
Conclusion: In general, the findings showed that the level of male involvement in child birth was relatively high accounting for 87% in Rugando sub-county
Recommendation: The District together with the Ministry of Health should take steps to raise awareness on the importance and benefits of male involvement in child birth. | en_US |
