Abstract:
Background: Antenatal care (ANC) involves systematic, routine assessment, care provision and
health promotion for pregnant women to ensure optimal health outcomes. Involving male
companions in antenatal sessions (ANS) are aimed at optimising family support and care for the
mother and the child. The majority of men do not participate in ANC, highlighting the need to
evaluate their participation, factors influencing their involvement, and obstacles preventing their
utilisation of ANC.
Objectives: To determine the prevalence of male involvement in ANS, their characteristics and
associated factors to the community based ANS in Bope-Poddala and Galle MOH areas
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 219 couples with a pregnant
mother attended to ANS at Bope-Poddala and Galle MOH areas. Data collection was carried out
between January and February 2024 using convenient sampling via validated, pre-tested, self-
administered questionnaires from pregnant women and their spouses who attended and
interviewer-administered questionnaires from male spouses who did not attend to ANS. The data
were analysed with Chi-square test and Pearson correlation using SPSS version 26.0.
Results: About 28.8% (n=63) spouses attended the ANS. Most of male spouses 46% (n=29) who
attended the ANS were educated up to Advanced Level and the 34.9% (n=22) have income
between 31000-50000 LKR. Comparatively most of male spouses 48.1% (n=75) who did not
attend the ANS were educated up to Ordinary Level and the 41.7% (n=65) have income between
10000-30000 LKR. Age (p=0.01), ethnicity (p=0.01), educational level (p=0.03), monthly income
(p<0.01), mode of transportation (p<0.01), number of children (p=0.04), number of expectant
children (p=0.01), satisfaction about ANC of male spouses (p<0.01) and pregnant mothers
(p<0.01) were significantly associated with the involvement of male spouses for ANS.
Conclusion: The male involvement in ANS of Bope-Poddala and Galle MOH areas was
considerably low. The findings highlighted the need for health promotion programs to uplift the
educational level, conduct ANS via online platform and making new policies to minimise
disruptions during leave from work and empower the male involvement in ANS.
