Social demographic determinants of male participation in antenatal care in Nyamagana District, Tanzania

Abstract

Introduction: Globally, poor male participation in antenatal care (ANC) and reproductive health issues is still a challenge towards improvement of maternal and child health. Quality antenatal care and birth outcomes depend on the shared responsibility between men and women. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the level of male participation in ANC and the associated social demographic determinants. Method: The study was cross-sectional and was based in the community in the Nyamagana district, Tanzania. Male partners aged 18-49 years were interviewed using the four dichotomized (yes or no) variables to determine the level of male participation in ANC. The data were analyzed by using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Version 24). Chi-square test was used to determine the association between demographic characteristics and the level of male involvement in ANC. Results: The level of male participation was high in this study (76.3%). Men with a primary level of education were twice (AOR 2.15, 95% CI [1.15– 4.02], p-value 0.01) as likely to participate in ANC compared to men with no formal education. If the number of children was more than two, there was a significant association with male participation in ANC (OR 1.57, 95% CI [1.12–1.77], p =0.02). Conclusion: The level of male participation in ANC is high in Nyamagana district. The number of children and level of education are social demographic determinants of male participation in ANC.