TITLE:
Determinants of the Low Involvement of Husbands in the Prenatal Consultation in the City of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
AUTHORS:
Odya Cyombesha Pamela, Kadiata Bukasa Augustin, Nene Kabyahura Novi, Omanyondo Ohambe Marie-Claire, Nanto Muleng Bwal Roline, Ngiele Malobo Costatine, Sebuana Mangongi Christine, Katanda Bukasa Monique, Kanionga Nseya Celine, Rose Mujinga Ntumba
KEYWORDS:
Determinants, Low Involvement, Husbands, Prenatal Consultation
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.10 No.6,
June
29,
2023
ABSTRACT: Introduction: The presence of men with their pregnant partners at facility-based antenatal care (ANC) visits is important for maternal and child health and gender equality, but remains rare in parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Method: This is a quantitative study, of the correlational and cross-sectional descriptive type, centered on the factors linked to the low involvement of husbands during ANC. The target population consisted of married or common-law men residing in the Mombele health area during the survey period from 27/10/2021 to 30/11/2021. Results: The level of male involvement in antenatal care in Mombele Health Area in Limete Health Zone is 53.8%. The determinants underlying this low involvement in these services are: age (OR = 8.498; 95% CI 3.913 - 18.452; p = 0.000); religion (OR = 5.978; 95% CI 2.282 - 15.657; p = 0.000); negative perception or feeling of embarrassment (OR = 5.836; 95% CI 1.275 - 26.725; p = 0.023); marital status (OR = 10.995; 95% CI 4.231 - 28.575; p = 0.000). Conclusion: The involvement of men in prenatal care is still low. Hence, it incorporates a component of community participation in health programs for greater involvement of partners in order to contribute to improving the use of ANC services.