Male Partner Involvement in Choice of Delivery Site Among Women Delivering at Coast Level Five Hospital Mombasa County, Kenya
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Date
2015
Authors
Onchong'a, J. M.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Maternal mortality is one of the major worldwide health challenges. The high maternal mortality rate is a common subject in global health and development discussions. Globally, about 800 women die daily from pregnancy or childbirth-related complications. Men’s involvement during pregnancy and childbirth plays a vital role in the safety of their female partners during pregnancy and childbirth by ensuring access to care and provision of emotional and financial support and guarantying the women’s access to reproductive health services in general. This study aimed to establish male partner involvement in choice of delivery site among women delivering at Coast Level Five Hospital, Mombasa County. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study that targeted women who delivered at Coast Level Five Hospital and their male partners. Systematic sampling was used to select the participants. A semi-structured questionnaire and focus group discussion guide were used to collect data. These tools were pre-tested at Port Reitz District Hospital. The quantitative data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Statistical analysis was performed using chi-square, logistic regression and marginal effects. The analysed quantitative data were presented in text, graphs and tables. The qualitative data were analysed and categorised into sub-themes and themes and presented as direct quotes and narrations. The study findings revealed that there is low male partner involvement (40.6%). Women and male partners’ education (p<0.001), women income (p=0.006) and male partners’ income (p=024), women knowledge (p<0.001), women perception (p=0.001) and male partners’ perception (p=0.001) had significant influence on male partner involvement. Influence of cultural and reproductive health policy awareness could not be ascertained as their frequencies were too few. To improve male partner involvement, there is need for the Mombasa County Government and management of Coast Level Five Hospital to come up with strategies/programs to promote male involvement, promote education and facilitate economic empowerment, create awareness on importance of male involvement in RH through media and community barazas and disseminate the national RH policy. In addition formulate policies that will ensure male partners get time off from their place of work to accompany their spouses to ANC
Description
Department of Community Health, 115p. 2015. RG 951 .O5