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

Kwambai, Titus, K, Dellicour, Stephanie, Desai, Meghna, Ameh, Charles ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2341-7605, Person, Bobbie, Achieng, Florence, Mason, Linda, Laserson, Kayla, F and terKuile, Feiko ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3663-5617 (2013) 'Perspectives of men on antenatal and delivery care service utilisation in rural western Kenya: a qualitative study.'. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, Vol 13, Issue 134.

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Abstract

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.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Pregnancy, Antenatal care, Delivery care, Decision making, Male involvement
Subjects:	W General Medicine. Health Professions > Health Services. Patients and Patient Advocacy > W 85 Patients. Attitude and compliance W General Medicine. Health Professions > Health Services. Patients and Patient Advocacy > W 84 Health services. Delivery of health care WA Public Health > WA 30 Socioeconomic factors in public health (General) WA Public Health > Health Problems of Special Population Groups > WA 310 Maternal welfare WA Public Health > Health Problems of Special Population Groups > WA 395 Health in developing countries WQ Obstetrics > Childbirth. Prenatal Care > WQ 175 Prenatal care
Faculty: Department:	Clinical Sciences & International Health > Clinical Sciences Department Clinical Sciences & International Health > International Public Health Department
Digital Object Identifer (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2393-13-134
Depositing User:	Users 27 not found.
Date Deposited:	23 Jul 2013 10:55
Last Modified:	06 Sep 2019 09:14
URI:	https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/3449

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