Knowledge on Obstetric Danger Signs During Pregnancy and Associated Factors Among Married Men in Chencha Town, Southern Ethiopia Regional State, 2022: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Poor knowledge of danger signs during pregnancy can have serious consequences on the health of both the mother and the baby. In addition to this inability to recognize signs of obstetric complications, it serves as a barrier to making a decision to access healthcare and therefore is one of the factors responsible for the first level of delay that contributes to maternal mortality. Previous studies conducted in the country were focused on assessing maternal knowledge about obstetric danger signs during pregnancy. However, there is a scarcity of information or little is known about the current knowledge of the husbands about obstetric danger signs during pregnancy and influencing factors regarding the obstetric danger signs during pregnancy in Ethiopia, particularly in Chencha town, southern regional state.

Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 422 husbands living in selected kebeles in Chencha town from September 1 to 30, 2022. A random sampling technique was used to select kebeles in Chencha town, southern region. Data were collected using a structured and pretested questionnaire. Collected data were analyzed using the statistical package for social science (SPSS) Version 25. Results were presented in the form of percentage, frequency tables, and pie charts. Binary logistic regression was performed to check for an association between independent and outcome variables at p < 0.05 and a 95% confidence interval (CI). Then, the variables with p value < 0.25 were entered into multivariate logistic regression to identify statistically significant variables. Before adjusting in the multivariable analysis, the candidate variables for the multivariable analysis were checked for multicollinearity using the variance inflation factor, which ranged from 1.1 to 1.87. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test was used to assess the model's fitness (0.124).

Results: The study found that 45.5% (95% CI: 41%-50%) of husbands are aware of the danger sign during pregnancy. Factors such as the wife's secondary educational level (AOR = 4.700, 95% CI: 2.330-9.478), more than secondary educational level (AOR = 3.132, 95% CI: 1.549-6.364), previous obstetric complications (AOR = 1.796, 95% CI: 1.145-2.817), access to media information (AOR = 1.881, 95% CI: 1.117-3.166), and follow-up of antenatal care (AOR = 1.839, 95% CI: 1.175-2.880) were statistically significantly associated with married men's knowledge of obstetric danger signs during pregnancy.

Conclusions: This study indicated that the current knowledge of husbands about the danger sign during pregnancy was low. Therefore, strengthening the provision of information on danger signs during pregnancy in ANC and information on behavioral communication of husbands regarding partner support is recommended.