Determinants of Involvement in Antenatal Care among Male Police Officers at Anti-Stock Theft Unit in Gilgil Ward, Nakuru County; Kenya

Abstract

Background. World Health Organization recognizes male partner involvement in maternal health as key in reducing maternal morbidity, mortality and third universal maternal health goal. In developing countries few men engage in care. Objective. To investigate determinants of involvement in antenatal care among male police officers at anti-stock theft unit Gilgil ward in Nakuru County. Methodology. Analytical cross-sectional study design was used. Subjects gave voluntary written informed consent and relevant authorities gave approval. Data was collected using self-administered questionnaire, from 334 subjects who were randomly sampled from 2582 police officers. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics via statistical package for social sciences. Chi square tests and Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess determinants associated with male partner participation in ANC. Results. On descriptive analysis, less than half (47.9% n=160) of the subjects were constables with 20.7% (n=69) occupying senior ranks. Majority (65% n=217) reported 1-5 months’ work schedules, 2% (N=7) reported more than10months.More than half (51.8% n= 173) reported 10-20 years’ work experience with 6.6% (n=22) reporting over 40 years. More than three quarters (78.4%, n=262) of the respondents earned 20-40 thousand Kenya shillings, 5.4% (n=18) earned above 80 thousand Kenya shillings. More than half (61% n=204) of the subjects did not know communication is important 16.8% (n=56) agreed, 22.2% (n=74) disagreed. Slightly more than half (65.9% n=220) of the subjects agreed religion impairs male police partner ANC participation 34.1 (n=114) disagreed. Majority (77.2% n=258) of the respondents preferred traditional birth attendants 15.6% (n=52) preferred care givers. Majority (60.1% n=201) of the respondents reported health facility was far 29.9% (n=100), 1.1% (n=4) cited less than a kilometer. Less than half (44.6 % n= 149) of the subjects opined health workers had wanting reactions, 27.5% (n=92) cited them as approachable, 18.9% (n= 63) indicated workers were ignorant, 9% (n= 30) posted they are good. Majority (91% n=304) of the participants preferred males 9% (n=30) preferred females to care for the partners. On inferential analysis, participants who agreed religion impairs male partner ANC attendances were 2.5 times more likely to participate in ANC compared to those who disagreed. Subjects who preferred care workers were 0.54 times less likely to participate in ANC compared to those who preferred traditional birth attendants. Respondents comfortable with female care givers were 0.1372 times less likely to participate in ANC compared to those who were uncomfortable. Participants who indicated care workers were ignorant were 0.148 times less likely to participate in ANC compared to those who cited them as good Conclusion. Religion, reliance on traditional birth attendants, gender preferences and health workers’ reactions were found to be significantly associated with male police officers’ involvement in ANC while none of economic determinants were significant. Recommendations. Informational, communicational and educational support by care workers is recommended to male police partners. Equal gender training and adequate distribution of care workers to ANC clinics is recommended to health care programmers Including determinants of involvement in antenatal care among police officers in the officers’ basic training is recommendation to the Ministry of defense