Male Involvement in Antenatal Care: Does Sociodemographic and Background Characteristics Matter in Zimbabwe?

Abstract

Globally, male presence in Antenatal care (ANC) and delivery remains an obstacle challenge to safe motherhood. Male involvement in maternal and child health care can help lower maternal morbidity and mortality. This study sought to determine the prevalence of male involvement in ANC and assess factors influencing male partners’ involvement in ANC visits in Zimbabwe. The study used secondary data extracted from the 2015 Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey.  A sample of 2072 men were selected from the men’s file who reported to have had a child in two years preceding the Survey. Univariate and bivariate (chi-square test) analysis of independence was employed to show the relationship between male involvement and background variables. The findings showed that the prevalence of male involvement in ANC was high (92%). Male involvement was high among those with secondary education (58%). (P<002). Males who resided in rural areas (57%) were involved in ANC more than their urban counterparts (P<005). The findings showed that husbands with more than three children were more involved in ANC than those with less than three children. Lastly, men from the higher wealth quintile (45%) participated more in ANC compared to those from the middle quintile.  Partners who belonged to the Apostolic Sect (29%) (P<000) participated more than other religions. In as much as the prevalence of male involvement in antenatal care was significantly higher, it is recommended that men’s involvement in ANC should be a continuous process from the first trimester to childbirth as well as throughout post postpartum period.