Perspectives of men on antenatal and delivery care service utilisation in rural western Kenya: a qualitative study

Details

• Alternative Title:
  BMC Pregnancy Childbirth
• Personal Author:
  Kwambai, Titus K ; Dellicour, Stephanie ; Desai, Meghna ; Ameh, Charles A ; Person, Bobbie ; Achieng, Florence ; Mason, Linda ; Laserson, Kayla F ; ter Kuile, Feiko O
• Description:
  Background
  
  Poor utilisation of facility-based antenatal and delivery care services in Kenya hampers reduction of maternal mortality. Studies suggest that the participation of men in antenatal and delivery care is associated with better health care seeking behaviour, yet many reproductive health programs do not facilitate their involvement. This qualitative study conducted in rural Western Kenya, explored men’s perceptions of antenatal and delivery care services and identified factors that facilitated or constrained their involvement.
  
  Methods
  
  Eight focus group discussions were conducted with 68 married men between 20-65 years of age in May 2011. Participants were of the Luo ethnic group residing in Asembo, western Kenya. The area has a high HIV-prevalence and polygamy is common. A topic guide was used to guide the discussions and a thematic framework approach for data analysis.
  
  Results
  
  Overall, men were positive in their views of antenatal and delivery care, as decision makers they often encouraged, some even ‘forced’, their wives to attend for antenatal or delivery care. Many reasons why it was beneficial to accompany their wives were provided, yet few did this in practice unless there was a clinical complication. The three main barriers relating to cultural norms identified were: 1) pregnancy support was considered a female role; and the male role that of provider; 2) negative health care worker attitudes towards men’s participation, and 3) couple unfriendly antenatal and delivery unit infrastructure.
  
  Conclusion
  
  Although men reported to facilitate their wives’ utilisation of antenatal and delivery care services, this does not translate to practice as adherence to antenatal-care schedules and facility based delivery is generally poor. Equally, reasons proffered why they should accompany their wives are not carried through into practice, with barriers outweighing facilitators. Recommendations to improve men involvement and potentially increase services utilisation include awareness campaigns targeting men, exploring promotion of joint HIV testing and counselling, staff training, and design of couple friendly antenatal and delivery units.
  
  
• Subjects:
  Adult Aged Attitude Of Health Personnel Decision Making Delivery, Obstetric Female Focus Groups Gender Identity Health Care Costs Health Facility Environment Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Hospitals Humans Male Middle Aged Midwifery Paternal Behavior Patient Compliance Perception Prenatal Care Research Article Rural Health Services Young Adult

  More +
• Source:
  BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2013; 13:134.
• Document Type:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Kenya
• Volume:
  13
• Collection(s):
  CDC Public Access
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha256:ad92570250c0f7df0c57138331bbc676fea668b38326a893ff20f6e240d29b57
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/19107/cdc_19107_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 238.66 KB ]