Spousal participation during pregnancy and delivery in Ilorin, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The potential benefits of the active involvement of men in antenatal and intrapartum events remain largely unexplored in low-resource countries despite the reported benefits from highincome areas.

Aim: To evaluate male partners' attitudes and experience on their level of involvement during pregnancy, labour and delivery.

Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted at four health facilities in North Central Nigeria from 1^st February to 30^th July 2017. Participants were male partners of women who were pregnant during the study period; recruitment was after informed consent, data management was with SPSS (version 21.0); p <0.05 was significant.

Results: The male partners were aged 23 to 60 years (mean 35.96±6.76), 173 (69.2%) accompanied the partner to antenatal clinic and 150(60.0%) to ultrasound scan examination. The commonest hindrance to men's antenatal participation was commuter marriage (29; 37.7%); 171(68.4%) participants supported the presence of the man at delivery while 32(40.5%) opined that men may disturb the health provider during delivery. Also, 137(54.8%) men have requested to be present at delivery previously while 46(33.6%) were obliged;  among those obliged, 25(54.3%) described the experience as satisfactory while 28(60.9%) intend to be present at future deliveries. In all, 212(84.8%) suggested antepartum education classes for male partners, 202(80.8%) intend to attend such classes while 143(57.2%) suggested health facility restructuring to facilitate men's participation.

Conclusion: Men are increasingly desirous of active participation at antenatal and intrapartum events; increasing male partner education, male-friendly facility infrastructures and health providers' cooperation will encourage them to fulfil these roles.

Keywords: Male partner support, Maternal Health, Male participation, Men at Delivery, Spousal support.