Obstetric Caregivers’ Perspectives on Barriers and Perceived Impacts of Male Involvement in Antenatal Care and Labour in Ekiti State, Nigeria: A Qualitative Study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Maternal and Child Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria;

2 Department of Community/Public Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing Sciences, Bowen University Iwo, Nigeria;

3 Respiratory Research Unit, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust;

4 Department of pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, USA

Abstract

Background: Husband involvement in antenatal care (ANC) and labour is linked to improved maternal and neonatal health outcomes. However, in Nigeria, male participation remains limited. While most studies focus on women’s perspectives, little is known about the challenges healthcare providers face in promoting male engagement. This study explored barriers and the impact of male involvement in ANC and labour care from the perspectives of obstetric caregivers in Ekiti, Nigeria.
Methods: A qualitative study was done at a tertiary referral hospital in Ekiti, Nigeria, from June 2023 to June 2024. Twelve obstetric caregivers (six doctors and six midwives) were purposively selected based on their experience in ANC and labour care. Data were collected through two focus group discussions using a semi-structured interview guide. Thematic analysis was conducted using framework analysis following Ritchie and Spencer’s five-step method, and NVivo version 12 was used for the data analysis.
Results: Five categories were emerged from the data analysis. Three categories were identified in barriers as “inadequate space and privacy concerns”, “cultural and religious barriers”, and “lack of awareness and education”. The remained two categories regarding perceived impacts of male involvement included “improved maternal and birth outcomes” and “increased emotional support and reduced anxiety.”
Conclusion: Addressing these barriers requires targeted interventions such as expanding maternity facilities, promoting community education, and integrating male-inclusive policies into maternal healthcare. These interventions can enhance family-centered maternity care and improve maternal and neonatal outcomes in Nigeria.
 

Highlights

Adetunmise Oluseyi Olajide (Google Scholar) ( PubMed)

Keywords

References

1.    Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of Nigeria, National Population Commission, DHS Program ICF. Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey 2023–24: Key Indicators Report. Abuja, Nigeria, USA: Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of Nigeria, National Population Commission, DHS Program ICF; 2024.
2.    Moyo E, Dzinamarira T, Moyo P, et al. Men’s involvement in maternal health in sub-Saharan Africa: A scoping review of enablers and barriers. Midwifery. 2024;133:103993.
3.    Gessesse NA, Gela GB, Aweke AM, et al. Male partners’ involvement in antenatal care and its associated factors in West-central Ethiopia. BMC Public Health. 2024;24:3015.
4.    Annoon Y, Hormenu T, Ahinkorah BO, et al. Perception of pregnant women on barriers to male involvement in antenatal care in Sekondi, Ghana. Heliyon. 2020;6:e04434.
5.    Yargawa J, Leonardi-Bee J. Male involvement and maternal health outcomes: systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. 2015;69:604-12.
6.    Nambile Cumber S, Williams A, Elden H, et al. Fathers’ involvement in pregnancy and childbirth in Africa: an integrative systematic review. Global Health Action. 2024;17:2372906.
7.    Mbadugha CJ, Anetekhai CJ, Obiekwu AL, et al. Adult male involvement in maternity care in Enugu State, Nigeria: A cross-sectional study. European Journal of Midwifery. 2019;3:16.
8.    Okoye OC, Ibeh CC, Nnebue CC, et al. Male Partners’ Involvement in Maternal Health: A Community-based Cross-sectional Descriptive Study in Urban and Rural Settings in Anambra, Nigeria. Journal of Advances in Medicine and Medical Research. 2022;34:423-36.
9.    Amole T, Abubakar I, Bello M, et al. Predictors of male knowledge and participation in maternal health care in Urban Kano, Northern Nigeria. Annals of African Medical Research. 2023;6(1).
10.    Akintola TA, Akinwaare MO, Akingbade O. Perspectives on Male Involvement in Maternity Care among Male Postgraduate Students at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Africa Journal of Nursing and Midwifery. 2023;25(2). 
11.    Watson D, Chatio S, Barker M, et al. Men’s motivations, barriers to and aspirations for their families’ health in the first 1000 days in sub-Saharan Africa: a secondary qualitative analysis. BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health. 2023;6:39-45.
12.    Chereni A, Nyathi N, Mbizo J. Male partner involvement in health interventions: A systematic review of best practices in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Journal of Practice Teaching and Learning. 2022;19(1-2).
13.    Nkwonta CA, Messias DK. Male participation in reproductive health interventions in Sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review. International Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health. 2019;45:71-85.
14.    Ojo IO, Fafure AA, Ani OB. Women’s perception of male involvement during pregnancy and labor in University College Hospital, Ibadan. International Journal of Nursing and Midwifery. 2019;11:103-9.
15.    Akinyemi AO, Ibrahim EA. Prevalence and predictors of men’s involvement in pregnancy care in Modakeke, Southwest Nigeria. Frontiers in Global Women’s Health. 2024;5:1337094.
16.    August F, Pembe AB, Mpembeni R, et al. Community health workers can improve male involvement in maternal health: evidence from rural Tanzania. Global Health Action. 2016;9:30064.
17.    Collaço N, Wagland R, Alexis O, et al. Using the framework method for the analysis of qualitative dyadic data in health research. Qualitative Health Research. 2021;31:1555-64.
18.    Ditekemena J, Koole O, Engmann C, et al. Determinants of male involvement in maternal and child health services in sub-Saharan Africa: A review. Reproductive Health. 2012;9:32.
19.    Okwako JM, Mbuthia GW, Magutah K. Strategies for promoting male partner involvement in maternal, newborn and child health care in Kiambu County. Pan African Medical Journal. 2023;46:102.
20.    Sharma V, Leight J, Giroux N, et al. “That’sa woman’s problem”: a qualitative analysis to understand male involvement in maternal and newborn health in Jigawa state, northern Nigeria. Reproductive Health. 2019;16:143.
21.    Okwako JM, Mbuthia GW, Magutah K. Barriers to male partner accompaniment and participation in maternal and child health care in Thika and Kiambu Level Five Hospital, Kenya. Pan African Medical Journal. 2023;44:189.
22.    Muhabaw T, Hailemeskel S, Lambebo A. Male involvement in antenatal care and associated factors among married men with wives who recently gave birth in Debre Tabor town, North West Ethiopia. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. 2024;24:642.
23.    Maluka SO, Peneza AK. Perceptions on male involvement in pregnancy and childbirth in Masasi District, Tanzania: a qualitative study. Reproductive Health. 2018;15:68.
24.    Gopal P, Fisher D, Seruwagi G, et al. Male involvement in reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health: evaluating gaps between policy and practice in Uganda. Reproductive Health. 2020;17:114.
25.    Maiwada AM, Mamat NM, Rahman NAA, et al. Islamic perspectives of reproductive and maternal health: What role can Nigerian Muslim religious leaders play in the prevention of maternal mortality? –With Particular Reference to Zamfara State NorthWest Nigeria. IIUM Medical Journal Malaysia. 2018;17(1). 
26.    Sadore AA, Kebede Y, Birhanu Z. Effectiveness of engaging religious leaders in maternal health education for improving maternal health service utilization in Ethiopia: cluster randomized controlled trial. Front Public Health. 2024;12:1399472.
27.    Peneza AK, Maluka SO. ‘Unless you come with your partner you will be sent back home’: strategies used to promote male involvement in antenatal care in Southern Tanzania. Global Health Action. 2018;11:1449724.
28.    Degefa N, Dure A, Getahun D, et al. Male partners’ involvement in their wives’ antenatal care and its associated factors in southern Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study. Heliyon. 2024;10:e28276.
29.    Salehi A, Fahami F, Beigi M. The effect of presence of trained husbands beside their wives during childbirth on women’s anxiety. Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research. 2016;21:611-5.
International Journal of Community Based Nursing & Midwifery
Volume 13, Issue 2
April 2025
Pages 94-102

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics