MALE INVOLVEMENT IN BIRTH PREPAREDNESS AND CHILDHOOD IMMUNIZATION: A RURAL- URBAN COMPARISON IN OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

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MALE INVOLVEMENT IN BIRTH PREPAREDNESS AND CHILDHOOD IMMUNIZATION: A RURAL- URBAN COMPARISON IN OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Background: Male involvement is associated with improved maternal health outcomes in developing countries. In different parts of the world, especially developed countries, spousal participation is a common practice in maternal and child health. On the contrary, in low income countries like Nigeria which is a male-dominated society where pregnancy and childbirth is regarded as exclusively women’s affair, spousal participation remains acutely low. The aim of this study was to describe and compare male involvement in birth preparedness and childhood immunization between rural and urban areas ofOgun State, Nigeria.
Methods: This comparative cross-sectional study was carried out among 440 fathers of under-fives each from rural and urban local government of Ogun State using multistage sampling method to select the participants. Only fathers who were residents in the selected areas were recruited for the study. Data was collected using a semi structured interviewer administered questionnaire and also qualitative methods using Focused Group Discussions. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20. Relevant descriptive and inferential statistics were calculated and results presented in frequency tables and charts.
Results: Urban respondents were younger (mean age 36.58±6.760 years) and more educated than their rural counterparts (mean age 37.61±9.788 years). There was however no statistical significance in the difference of mean age (P= 0.069). Knowledge of birth preparedness was statistically significantly better in urban area than rural area (P= <0.001). However, knowledge of childhood immunization was statistically significantly better in rural area than in urban area (P=0.026). Male
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attitude to birth preparedness was statistically significantly better in rural area than in urban area (P=0.003) but male attitude to childhood immunization was better in urban area than rural area without any statistically significant difference (P=0.204). Male involvements in birth preparedness and childhood immunization were both statistically significantly better in the rural area than in the urban area with P=<0.001 in both cases.
With logistic regression, men’s good knowledge of birth preparedness (AOR=2.68, 95% C.I=1.72-4.16), men’s good attitude to birth preparedness (AOR=2.44, 95% C.I=1.56-3.84) and having a tertiary education remains significant predictors of birth preparedness in the urban area. In the rural area good paternal attitude towards birth preparedness (AOR=5.990, 95% C.I=3.486-10.292), Young paternal age (AOR 0.465, 95% C.I= 0.223-0.967) and having tertiary education (AOR= 6.241, 95% C.I=1.827-21.317) remained significant predictors of male involvement in birth preparedness.
As regards childhood immunization, men’s good attitude towards childhood immunization (AOR= 4.487, 95% C.I= 2.913-6.913), young paternal age (AOR=0.461, 95% C.I=0.249-0.854) and having a tertiary education (AOR= 1.920, 95% C.I= 1.228-3.001), remained significant predictors of male involvement in childhood immunization in urban area of Ogun State. In the rural area, good paternal knowledge of childhood immunization (AOR= 2.118, 95% C.I= 1.252-3.583), good paternal attitude towards childhood immunization (AOR=4.468, 95% C.I=2.569-7.773) and being currently married (AOR=3.882, 95% C.I= 1.690-8.719) remained significant predictors of male involvement in childhood immunization.
Conclusion/Recommendation: Male involvement in birth preparedness and childhood immunization is better among young educated men and rural dwellers. Men should be included in maternal and child health education programmes. Better opportunities should be created for post- secondary school education for youths and young adults. Public rural health facilities should be made more enticing for patronage by men.

MALE INVOLVEMENT IN BIRTH PREPAREDNESS AND CHILDHOOD IMMUNIZATION: A RURAL- URBAN COMPARISON IN OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

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