MEN’s PERCEPTIONS TOWARDS ANTENATAL CARE IN KIJABE, KENYA

Bhumika Goel, Francis Poitier, University of Leeds, Kijabe Hospital

World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends male involvement in antenatal care (ANC) where the benefits include, but are not limited to:

• improved health outcomes
• knowledge of danger signs
• understanding pregnancy needs
• long term improved maternal health

Global trends indicate that progress in reducing maternal mortality has stagnated, and countries are off track to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of maternal mortality of less than 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030 (WHO, 2023). Alongside health system failures, social determinants and harmful gender norms contribute to this stagnation. 

The World Health Organisation has emphasised the need for male involvement within antenatal care (ANC) to improve maternal and child health outcomes through increased birth preparedness and reduced complications. In Kenya, where the maternal mortality rate is 377 deaths per 100,000 live births, societal and gender norms present ANC as a woman’s domain and encourage men to act as gatekeepers to accessing ANC services. Only 35% of men are known to accompany their partners to ANC, representing a significant challenge.

This study aims to explore men’s perceptions of antenatal care and identify methods to increase their involvement within it, in Kijabe, Kenya.

1.Explore what men think is the importance of ANC.

2.Explore what men perceive their role to be in ANC and the impacts of it.

3.Suggest methods to increase the uptake of ANC by men throughout the duration of their partner’s pregnancy.