Husband’s participation in birth preparedness and complication readiness

Abstract

Introduction: Pregnancy and childbirth continue to be viewed as solely a woman’s issue. Finding a male companion at antenatal care is rare. Husbands in patriarchal societies of developing countries are often identified as decision makers in all aspects of day-to-day life. Thus Husband’s participation promotes active preparation and assists in decision-making in birth preparedness and in case of complications.

Aim: The main objective of this study was to assess the determinant factors of male involvement in birth preparedness and complication readiness.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 100 married Couples from June 2018 to October 2018 in tertiary care hospital, Adichunchangiri Institute of Medical Sciences, B.G Nagara, Karnataka. Data collected Using pre-structured questionnaire, Odds Ratio and 95% confidence interval.

Results: A total of 100 husbands participated in the study with 95% response rate. About 70% of the husbands had participated in birth preparedness and complication readiness. The study revealed that husbands were more likely to participate in birth preparedness if they had better knowledge in postnatal danger signs and a better knowledge on birth preparedness.

Conclusion: Educated and Young aged Husbands with higher income and formal employment showed greater involvement in birth preparedness and complication readiness. Hence these factors should be emphatically considered during maternal health program development. Male awareness in postnatal danger signs and birth preparedness should be increased by local and other concerned bodies.