Perception and Predictors of Spousal Involvement in Antenatal Care by Women Attending Immunization Clinic at Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The level of spousal involvement in antenatal care (ANC) is not what it should be. This is a concern because a number of  preventable maternal and neonatal mortality or morbidity can be attributed to a lack of interest or participation in ANC by their spouses,  which usually result in a delay in seeking healthcare and/or delay in reaching a healthcare facility.

Aim: To assess the degree of spousal  involvement in ANC among women accessing care at the Immunization Clinic in Babcock University Teaching Hospital (BUTH), Ogun State, Nigeria.

Patients and Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Two hundred and sixty-eight (268) women who  attended the antenatal clinic in their last pregnancy participated in the study. Semi-structured questionnaires were administered in an  interview-based manner to each participant. Data were entered and analyzed using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 22.0).

Results: There was good spousal involvement (56%) in ANC. Statistically significant associations were found between the  age, education level, occupation, and income of the spouses and their involvement (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Spousal involvement in ANC in  this study was above average. Measures that can consolidate the identified predictors of good spousal involvement in ANC should be  adopted.