Factors Accounting for Low Male Involvement in Maternal and Child Health Services in Sunyani Municipality

Abstract

The study seeks to investigate factors contributing to low involvement in maternal and child health services among male partners in Sunyani Municipality using a descriptive and cross-sectional study design. Male partners with knowledge of the history of their female counterparts, who had access to healthcare before and after childbirth, were included in this current study. A sample size of 392 was selected using purposive, systematic and simple random sampling technique. Primary data were collected and analyzed using the Predictive Analytics Software (Version 21). Method of analysis included the use of both descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. At the end of the study, it was identified that the majority, 82.4% of the respondents, were involved in maternal and child health services; however, their participation was not frequent. Attitude of staff (X2=27.419, P=0.001). Religious affiliation (X2=8.551: P=0.003) and employment and status (X2=4.405; P=0.036) of respondents were all found to be statistically associated with males involving themselves in maternal and child health services. Also, the age of respondents was found to be correlated to the frequency of attendance at MCHS among males (P=0.042). Again, waiting time, amount spent during MCHS and distance to facility were all correlated to frequency of attendance (P?0.05). The study recommends that, since the value of male participation to women’s maternal health is disputably significant, the Ghana Health Service must deliberately include male involvement in its overall strategy for improving maternal health and reducing maternal mortality in Ghana.

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