Male partners' involvement during antenatal care in Ekiti State, southwest Nigeria

Abstract

Background/Aims Male partners' involvement in the use of antenatal care services has been evaluated as a crucial determinant in the uptake of these services. This study investigated the opinion of antenatal care attendees on male partners' role in the use of antenatal care services in Ekiti State. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted and data obtained through semi-structured questionnaires administered to 600 antenatal clinic attendees at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti. Results Half (51.1%) of respondents attended antenatal care clinics to promote the development and growth of their unborn babies. Over a third (40.6%) of the respondents reported that the decision to attend an antenatal care clinic was made by ‘male partners’, while 82.8% of respondents had their male partners participate in activities that facilitated their use of antenatal care services. Conclusions Male partners play an important role in the uptake of antenatal care services. The authors advocate for policies to be created to increase male partner participation in the use of antenatal care services.