Male Involvement in Antenatal Care Services in East Gonja Municipality

Abstract

Background: Pregnancy and childbirth pose significant health risks to women, particularly in developing countries like Ghana, where the maternal mortality ratio remains high at 310 per 100,000 live births. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the extent of male involvement in ANC service utilization in the East Gonja Municipality, Ghana. Specific objectives included assessing men's Knowledge of ANC, determining the prevalence and frequency of their involvement in ANC activities, evaluating their attitudes toward male involvement, and identifying influencing factors. Methodology: A cross-sectional quantitative design was employed, targeting men aged 18 and above whose partners had attended ANC in the municipality. Using Yamane's formula, a sample size of 436 was calculated and selected via multistage sampling from health facilities. Data were collected through face-to-face administered questionnaires and analyzed using STATA software. Key Findings: Of the 436 respondents, 95.4% exhibited good Knowledge of ANC, with tertiary education being a predicator of good knowledge (AOR=4.751; 95% CI: 1.127-20.020; p=0.034). Attitudes were positive in 91.7%, associated with age (χ²=10.502; p=0.033), education (χ²=9.840; p=0.043), and number of children (χ²=13.156; p=0.004). Male Involvement was high, with 85.8% accompanying partners to ANC visits and 93.1% providing financial support. Logistic regression identified higher education (tertiary: AOR=3.328; 95% CI: 1.452-7.629; p=0.005; postgraduate: AOR=3.123; 95% CI: 1.039-9.390; p=0.043), positive attitudes (AOR=16.800; 95% CI: 5.006-56.370; p=0.001), and healthcare provider encouragement (AOR=2.817; 95% CI: 1.243- 6.387; p=0.013) as significant predictors of male involvement in ANC Activities. Conclusions/Originality and recommendations: The study concludes that while male involvement in ANC is substantial in East Gonja. This research is original as it provides the first comprehensive quantitative assessment of male involvement in ANC within this rural Ghanaian municipality, filling a critical knowledge gap and offering actionable insights for policy in similar low-resource settings. Health authorities should implement targeted education programs for men, particularly those with lower literacy, and make ANC facilities more male-friendlier through flexible scheduling and inclusive policies.