Barriers to Men’s Involvement in Antenatal and Postnatal Care in Butula Sub-county, Western Kenya

Abstract

This study sought to explore the barriers to men‟s involvement in antenatal and postnatal care in Butula sub county, western Kenya. It was guided by the health belief model to ascertain male involvement in ANC and PNC and address the cultural, economic and health facility-based barriers to men‟s involvement in antenatal and postnatal care. The descriptive nature of the study allowed for the collection of both quantitative and qualitative data. A sample size of 96 men was selected randomly to participate in the survey. Four FGDs and four KIIs were also conducted. The study found out that men accompanied their partners to the clinic, helped with household chores, financed visits to clinics, provided food, and physically examined their families‟ health. Significant barriers to men‟s active involvement included cultural factors whereby men viewed maternal health as a woman‟s domain therefore had some reservations in taking part. Economic factors such as men‟s nature of work, low income levels, and the expenses incurred while seeking antenatal and postnatal services also came out as key barriers to their active involvement. Whereas health facility-based barriers included the lack of services that directly target men at ANC and PNC, the attitude of healthcare workers, lack of emphasis by healthcare workers on men‟s involvement, and time spent at the clinic. The study thus concludes that men‟s active involvement in ANC and PNC is barred to a large extent by cultural, economic and health facility barriers. Therefore, it recommends creation of awareness among men on ANC and PNC, change of attitude among healthcare workers on men‟s involvement, and a reduction of men‟s waiting time at the clinic to accommodate their economic life.