Abstract :

This study examined the personal characteristics, knowledge, and attitudes of expectant fathers in Uyo, Nigeria, towards birth preparedness and complication readiness (BP/CR). Utilizing a convenience sample of 120 expectant fathers, the research explored how factors such as age, marital status, occupation, and education level influenced their understanding of and engagement in maternal health practices. Data obtained were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics such as frequency and correlation. The results indicated that most fathers were in their prime reproductive years (65, 54.2%), predominantly Christians (116, 96.7%), married (72, 60%), and employed (96, 80%), often as businessmen or traders (66, 55%) with a tertiary level of education (82, 68.3%). Also, majority demonstrated high knowledge (100, 83.3%) and positive attitudes towards BP/CR (84, 70%), with marital status (0.993), occupation (0.949), and number of children (0.964) showing strong correlations with favorable attitudes (p<0.01). These findings underscore the importance of socio-cultural factors in shaping paternal involvement in maternal health, advocating for targeted interventions that consider these variables to enhance male participation in maternal care and improve maternal and neonatal outcomes.

---

Keywords :

Birth preparedness, complication readiness, expectant fathers, Maternal Health, Nigeria., paternal involvement

---

References :

1. Adamu, H., Oche, O. M., & Kaoje, A. U. (2020). Effect of health education on the knowledge, attitude and involvement by male partners in birth preparedness and complication readiness in rural communities of sokoto state, nigeria. Am J Public Health, 8(5), 163-75.
2. Asa, U. A. and Nkan, V. V. (2019). Gender Difference in Marital Satisfaction of Couples in Rural Farming Households of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. European Journal of Psychological Research, 6(2):40-45
3. Comrie-Thomson, L., Gopal, P., Eddy, K., Baguiya, A., Gerlach, N., Sauvé, C., & Portela, A. (2021). How do women, men, and health providers perceive interventions to influence men’s engagement in maternal and newborn health? A qualitative evidence synthesis. Social Science & Medicine, 291, 114475.
4. Dudgeon, M. R., & Inhorn, M. C. (2004). Men’s influences on women’s reproductive health: medical anthropological perspectives. Social science & medicine, 59(7), 1379-1395.
5. Ekwuazi, E. K., Chigbu, C. O., & Ngene, N. C. (2023). Reducing maternal mortality in low-and middle-income countries. Case Reports in Women’s Health, 39.
6. Habte, A., Hailegebreal, S., Melis, T., & Haile, D. (2023). Spatial variation and predictors of missing birth preparedness and complication readiness (BPCR) messages in Ethiopia. Plos one, 18(12), e0295744.
7. Hovris, A. (2019). Exploring the social psychological processes of lone fatherhood after separation or divorce: a constructive grounded theory approach (Doctoral dissertation, London Metropolitan University).
8. Ijioma, C. E., Enwereji, N. U., Jolaoye, O. O., Okebugwu, P. C., Ufuah, O. D., Ezirim, I. C., … & Ezirim, I. (2024). Assessment of Knowledge and Attitudes of Parents Regarding Neonatal Jaundice in Abia State Children’s Specialist Hospital, Umuahia, Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study. Cureus, 16(9).
9. Iliyasu, Z., Abubakar, I. S., Galadanci, H. S., & Aliyu, M. H. (2010). Birth preparedness, complication readiness and fathers’ participation in maternity care in a northern Nigerian community. African journal of reproductive health, 14(1).
10. Jacob, D. E., Nelson, İ. U., & Udo, E. S. (2017). Economic analysis of firewood marketing in Uyo capital city, Akwa, Ibom state, Nigeria. Eurasian Journal of Forest Science, 5(2), 26-43.
11. Jacob, D. E., Ukpong, E. E., Jacob, I. D., Bassey, E. E., Atabo, L. O. (2024). A Survey of Butterfly Species of the University Of Uyo Main Campus, Nigeria, Scientific Reports in Life Sciences 5(5), 49-66.
12. Kabakyenga, J. K., Östergren, P. O., Turyakira, E., & Pettersson, K. O. (2012). Influence of birth preparedness, decision-making on location of birth and assistance by skilled birth attendants among women in south-western Uganda. PloS one, 7(4), e35747.
13. Ladur, A. (2021). Male involvement in facilitating the uptake of maternal health services by women in Uganda (Doctoral dissertation, Bournemouth University).
14. Mullany, B. C. (2006). Barriers to and attitudes towards promoting husbands’ involvement in maternal health in Katmandu, Nepal. Social science & medicine, 62(11), 2798-2809.
15. National Population Commission (2006). Population Census of the Federal Republic of Nigeria: Analytical Report at the National Population Commission, Abuja
16. Nelson, I. U., E. S. Udo and D. E. Jacob (2017). Economic analysis of firewood marketing in Uyo capital city, Akwa, Ibom state, Nigeria. Eurasian Journal of Forest Science, 5 (2), 26-43.
17. Oboro, V. O., Oyeniran, A. O., Akinola, S. E., & Isawumi, A. I. (2011). Attitudes of Nigerian women toward the presence of their husband or partner as a support person during labor. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, 112(1), 56-58.
18. Onyeze-Joe, C., & Godin, I. (2020). Experiences, views and needs of first-time fathers in pregnancy-related care: a qualitative study in south-East Nigeria. BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 20, 1-11.
19. Pal, M. M., Singh, M. T., Lalia, M. H., Thomas, A., Nayak, M. S., & Karn, M. N. (2024).Improving Maternal Health: An Extensive Analysis of ANM’s Critical Involvement in Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness (BP/CR) for Safe Motherhood-A Comprehensive Review. Journal of Chemical Health Risks 14(2): 1529-1538
20. Reis, H. T., & Judd, C. M. (Eds.). (2000). Handbook of research methods in social and personality psychology. Cambridge University Press.
21. Simkin, P., & Cheyney, M. (2024). The Birth Partner: A Complete Guide to Childbirth for Dads, Partners, Doulas, and Other Labor Companions. Harvard Common Press. 432pp.
22. Tlaiss, H. A. (2013). Women in healthcare: barriers and enablers from a developing country perspective. International journal of health policy and management, 1(1), 23.
23. Tony-Igwe, C., Udeani, K., Udeichi, N., & Ugwu, E. (2024). Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness among women attending Antenatal Clinic in Enugu Metropolis. medRxiv, 2024-10.
24. Ukpong, E. E., Jacob, D. E., Amadi, O. N. and Eniang, E. A. (2023). A survey of avifauna species in the town campus of University of Uyo, Nigeria. In: Ayandele, I. A., Udom, G. N., Effiong, E. O., Etuk, U. R., Ekpo, I. E., Inyang, U. G., Edet, G. E. and Moffat, I. (Eds.). Contemorary discourse on Nigeria’s economic profile, A festschrift in honour of Professor Nyaudo, U. Ndaeyo. A publication of University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, pp. 198-208
25. World Health Organization. (2015). State of inequality: reproductive maternal newborn and child health: interactive visualization of health data. World Health Organization.
26. Yargawa, J., & Leonardi-Bee, J. (2015). Male involvement and maternal health outcomes: systematic review and meta-analysis. J Epidemiol Community Health, 69(6), 604-612.
27. Yuill, C., McCourt, C., Cheyne, H., & Leister, N. (2020). Women’s experiences of decision-making and informed choice about pregnancy and birth care: a systematic review and meta-synthesis of qualitative research. BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 20, 1-21.