Male Partner Involvement In Promoting Skilled Attendance At Childbirth In Matayos Sub-County, Busia County, Kenya

Type Thesis or Dissertation - Master Thesis
Title Male Partner Involvement In Promoting Skilled Attendance At Childbirth In Matayos Sub-County, Busia County, Kenya
Author(s)
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2016
Abstract
Male partner involvement in women's Reproductive Health has recently garnered considerable attention. Encouraging men to promote skilled attendance during delivery is a big step in increasing the proportion of births being attended by skilled professionals hence contributing to the achievement of Millennium Development Goal 4 and 5 which aim to reduce child mortality and improve maternal health respectively. In investigating for male involvement in promoting deliveries by skilled health professionals, this study specifically aimed at: (a) establishing the socioeconomic, socio-cultural and demographic factors that would influence male involvement in promoting skilled attendance during delivery and (b) explore men's knowledge of delivery complications as a precondition for choice of place of delivery and choice of assistance during delivery. In-depth interviews were conducted among males whose partners have recently given birth (0-2yrs) using a structured questionnaire. The study used descriptive research design with a target population of 200 men within the six villages of Matayos Sub-County. Secondary data was collected from the health facility records and review of the census report 2009, KDHS 2009 and KDHS 2014. Data was analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively and results presented using frequency distribution tables and charts. A chi-square test was carried out with a p-value of <0.05 being considered significant. The study established that male involvement in promoting skilled attendance is beneficial to improving maternal outcomes. The main determinants of Male involvement in promoting skilled birth attendants were: age (χ2 = 19.511, P = 0.003); religion (χ2 =13.446, P = 0.009); marital status (χ2 = 33.689, P = 0.000); employment status (χ2 =8.963, P = 0.0255) and education level χ2 =31.450, P = 0.000. It was evident from the study that safety during delivery determines the choice of place of delivery. The study established that male partners were involved in taking care of their partners during pregnancy. Hence, recommended that programs should be introduced to reach males as well as females, not only with information and services to protect themselves and their partners, but also with messages regarding gender equity. Secondly the government should channel programs to the grassroots levels to enable those in rural areas access education on reproductive health and maternal health. They should also be freely allowed to accompany their partners to a facility in times of delivery.

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