Abstract

Male participation in safe motherhood in selected village development committee of Morang, Nepal, 2016

Author(s): Dahal Punam* & Bajgain Bhawana

Background and Objective: Men can affect pregnancy and childbirth. However, the role of husbands in maternal health is often overlooked and neglected. Thus the objective of this study is to assess the Male participation in Safe Motherhood. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional research study was conducted in community people of Bahuni Village Development Committee, Morang Ward no 8. Systemic sampling technique was used to select 87 participants. Similarly, semi-structured questionnaire with self-reported face to face interview technique was used for data collection. The obtained data were summarized using frequency and percentage for socio-demographic factors, knowledge and practice while one way ANOVA was used to assess the differences in knowledge and practice of the male participation in safe motherhood based on demographic characteristics. Besides these, Pearson's correlation coefficient was computed to describe the relationship between knowledge of safe motherhood and practice of participation among male. Results/Findings: Among 87 participants, all (100%) have inadequate knowledge in safe motherhood and almost all of them (96.6%) have a low participation. Despite inadequate knowledge and low practice in majority, comparison among socio-demographic variables showed Buddhist had comparatively higher knowledge (Mean 17.39, SD 6.14) and high participation (Mean 30.25, SD 13.33). Similarly, Brahmin and Chettri had more knowledge (Mean 21.49, SD 12.51) and high participation (Mean 33.16, SD 14.28), Graduate and above education had more knowledge (Mean 39.13, SD 6.23) and high participation (Mean 64.70, SD 8.5). Similarly, Government job holders had more knowledge (Mean 21.30, SD 10.93) and high participation (Mean 35.88, SD 14.79). Lastly, High income had more knowledge (Mean 22.65, SD 9.78) and high participation (Mean 24.13, SD 13.52) than low income. There is the significant association between the ethnicity, education, occupation, income with knowledge and practice (p-value <0.05). There is high positive (88.2%) correlation between knowledge and practice. Conclusion: All participants had inadequate knowledge, and also their participation in safe motherhood is very low. There is the significant association between the ethnicity, education, occupation, income with knowledge and practice (p-value <0.05). It clearly showed that the health professionals from each region of the country should make efforts to make the maximum participation of male in safe motherhood issues.