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Birth preparedness practice: Profiling determining factors for male involvement in Southern Nigeria.

Samuel Dada, BABCOCK UNIVERSITY
Oluseyi Okunola, University College Hospital, Ibadan
Oyedunni S. Arulogun, University of Ibadan

Maternal mortality remains high in most African countries including Nigeria. Delays in seeking care for normal delivery and obstetric emergencies are the major determinants of maternal mortality. Birth preparedness (BP) has been found to be very effective in reducing these delays. The descriptive study investigated male involvement in the practice of birth preparedness in Southern, Nigeria using a validated structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 302 married men in Ibadan Metropolis. Knowledge on BP was measured on a 48-point knowledge scale and a 30-point practice scale was used to determine male involvement in BP. Data were analysed using descriptive and chi-square statistics at p<0.05. The results show a mean age of 38.0 ± 8.6 years. Majority (59.9 %) of the respondents had good knowledge on birth preparedness. Mean score for level of involvement was 21.52±5.4 and 43.0% of the respondents had good scores which show low level of involvement. Identified factors militating against male involvement in birth preparedness include low socioeconomic status, busy work schedule, cultural belief, and attitude of health workers. There was significant association between knowledge of birth preparedness, level of income and male involvement in BP.

Keywords: Fertility and childbirth, Family planning and contraception, Family demography, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

See extended abstract.

  Presented in Session P23.