Journal of Women's Health Care
Open Access

Abstract

Male Partners

Katiso NA and Adinew YM

Background: The involvement of men in the maternal health programs increases utilization of various reproductive health services. However, the failure to incorporate men in maternal health promotion services has had a serious impact on the health of women and children. This study was aimed to assess male partners’ involvement in promoting institutional delivery of spouse and its associated factors among households who have children of age 0-12 months in Lemo woreda, Southern Ethiopia. Method: Community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among 335 households who have children aged 0-12 months selected by multi-stage sampling. Pretested and structured questionnaire via face-to-face interview technique was used for data collection. Data were entered using EPI info version 3.5.3 statistical software and analyzed using SPSS version 20 statistical package. Descriptive statistics was used to describe the study population in relation to relevant variables. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was also carried out to see the effect of each independent variable on the dependent variable. Results: Male partner’s involvement in promoting institutional delivery was 38.2%. Personal income [AOR: 0.288, 95% CI: .0116, 0.719] and knowledge of male partners towards institutional delivery [AOR: 2.9, 95% CI: 1.521, 5.51] were positively associated; while perceived cost of delivery service [AOR: 1.79, 95% CI: 1.059, 3.04] was negatively associated with male partners involvement. Conclusion: Male partner’s involvement in promoting institutional delivery was found to be low. Efforts should be made to improve awareness of the male partner’s on institutional delivery through community based health education.