INVOLVEMENT OF MEN IN THE REDUCTION OF MATERNAL MORTALITY IN EGOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, BENIN CITY, EDO STATE.

ABSTRACT

Men involvement in reducing maternal mortality can be seen as the process of social and behavioural change that ensure they play more active and responsible roles in maternal health care with the purpose of ensuring women’s health and wellbeing. This study assessed involvement of men in the reduction of maternal mortality in Egor Local Government Area, Benin City, Edo State. Four research questions and two hypotheses were raised to guide the study. The target population comprised of 169,080 adult male residents in the studied area, from which a sample of four hundred (400) respondents were selected using Taro Yamme formula. A cross sectional descriptive research design was adopted for the study. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, which yielded reliability coefficients of 0.86, 0.83 and 0.78 for knowledge, involvement and factors influencing involvement respectively. Hypotheses were tested at0.05 level of significance. Results revealed that men had poor knowledge on factors influencing maternal health (69.7%), low extent of involvement in promotion of maternal health (2.39 on a scale of 4), however a high level of involvement was reported in the reduction of maternal mortality (2.71 on a scale of 4) . The study further indicated that cost of healthcare services, time/focus on income generating activities, long waiting time, attitude of healthcare providers and perception that antenatal and post-natal clinics are feminine environment were factors influencing involvement. More so, the extent of involvement of men in reducing maternal mortality was good (93.2%). A significant relationship between age and involvement was reported (p < 0.05) Also, a significant relationship between level of education and involvement in reduction of maternal mortality was indicated (p < 0.05). The study concluded men had poor knowledge, low involvement in promotion of maternal health. It was recommended that nursing practitioners should be involved in counselling men on the need to support the reproductive and maternal health of their spouses and government and multinational agencies should make concerted efforts to ensure better involvement of men.