Barriers to Male Involvement in Antenatal Care in Kanduyi Sub-county in Bungoma County

Abstract

This academic study investigates the socioeconomic and cultural barriers that impede male engagement in antenatal care (ANC) within Kanduyi Sub-County, Bungoma. Employing a cross-sectional descriptive survey, utilizing Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), In-Depth Interviews (IDIs), and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), the study applies the Social Relations Approach framework to analyze the collected data. The research reveals that various sociocultural factors, such as stigma, gender norms pertaining to pregnancy responsibilities, socialization processes, and men's social and peer networks, contribute to the limited involvement of men in ANC. Furthermore, socioeconomic considerations, including men's livelihood activities, social standing, expertise levels, and the financial burden of ANC, also deter their active participation. While both sociocultural and socioeconomic factors influence men's decision-making negatively, sociocultural factors emerge as the primary impediment to male engagement in ANC. The study concludes that interventions, such as awareness campaigns on the significance of men's active involvement in their partners' pregnancies, should be implemented through formal and informal community platforms. This research can be used as a model for other Kenyan communities with similar social structures seeking to promote behavioural modifications in male ANC participation