Research proposal writer
FACTORS INFLUENCING MALE INVOLVEMENT IN CARE FOR THEIR SPOUSES DURING LABOR IN KAPCHORWA HOSPITAL,
KAPCHORWA DISTRICT
ABSTRACT
The study sought to investigate the factors influencing male involvement in care for their spouses during labor and was guided by the following objectives; to assess the individual factors influencing male involvement in care for their spouses during labor, to identify the social cultural factors that influence male involvement in care for their spouses during labor and to assess health facility based factors that influence male involvement in care for their spouses during labor in Kapchorwa hospital, Kapchorwa district.
A cross-sectional descriptive study design was adopted for this study, using both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection. The study design was chosen because it helped the researcher gather key determinant factors from the sample population within a limited period of time.
The study concludes that that majority of respondents 21 (70%) had never received maternal health education, majority of respondents 17 (56.7%) said that there are cultural barriers that prevent men from accompanying their wives for delivery and another majority of the respondents 21 (70%) said that it’s not important for men to be involved in care during child birth The study further concludes that majority 27 (90%) said that they are not a aware of any policies or regulations regarding male involvement in child birth and another majority of respondents 21 (70%) said that they have never been invited by midwives while 25 (83.3%) said that they didn’t feel welcome in the labor ward and majority of respondents 16 (53.3%) said that they were told to wait outside.
In conclusion, it’s very important for men to get involved in the care of their spouses during child birth but due to social economic and cultural factors, men being the bread winners of the family, polygamy, unfriendly delivery ward environment constrains their involvement.
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
CME: Continuous Medical Education
HCWs: Healthcare Workers
MCH: Maternal and Child Health
MoH: Ministry of Health
PHNC: Public Health Nurses College
SDG: Sustainable Development Goal
SSA: Sub Saharan African
UNMEB: Uganda Nurses and Midwives Examinations Board
WHO: World Health Organization
DEFINITION OF KEY TERMS
Factors: These are predisposing issues or conditions which make it very
hard for an individual to utilize something.
Involvement: Is to make sure a matter of concern or affect somebody or to
Make some body participate.
Labor: This is the process of expulsion of the fetus, placenta and it’s
Membranes through the birth canal after 28 weeks of gestation
Male involvement: The participation of male in health initiatives such as caring for
mothers in labor
Male: Is a man of the age 18 years and above having a right to
marry and start a family.
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 Introduction
This chapter presents the background of the study, problem statement, purpose of the study, specific objectives, research questions and justification for the study.
1.1 Background
Male partner involvement in care during labor is a process of bringing males into parental care of their spouses from prenatal care to the time when the child is born, particularly logistically. emotionally and financially, (Davis, Luchters & Holmes, 2013). It also has many potential benefits for both partners as it is associated with reduced maternal stress, better health outcomes for the mother and baby and ensures that men engage in future parental roles from an early stage, (Carter, 2012).
Pregnancy and childbirth could threaten a woman’s life. It is estimated that more than half a million maternal deaths occur worldwide annually, and of these, 90% occur in developing countries, hence a husbands’ role is critical in pregnancy and childbirth of women, especially in making a decision about seeking and supporting appropriate health care services, (Hogan et.al. 2010)
According to the World Health Organization. (WHO), developing countries account for 286,000 of maternal deaths as a result of preventable causes in 2015 alone, (WHO, 2015). It was noted that only 30% of every 100 mothers who attended focused antenatal care services with their spouses presented with them in labour suites. Therefore, incorporation of males into reproductive health programs is one of the initiatives to achieve safe motherhood, since this initiative could reduce maternal morbidity and mortality. (Yargawa & Leonardi-Bee, 2015).
In Sub Saharan African (SSA) countries like South Africa, male involvement in care for their spouses during labor and child birth is estimated at 23%, in Nigeria 18%, Ghana 24% and Mali 19% (Ditekemena et.al, 2012). The main barriers to participation in care were lack of knowledge on the mama kit (41.7%), lack of transport means (35.8%), and delays in seeking health facility skilled delivery, (Mullany, 2012). Other barriers included non-invitation by midwives, attaching no importance to their attendance and having a concurrent task or job demand at the same time as the spouses’ expected delivery time, (Kululanga et.al, 2012).
Tanzania continues to record the highest hospital based skilled delivery rates in East Africa with approximately 78% of pregnant women delivering at a health facility, although the opposite was true for male involvement as figures revealed that only 14% of the pregnant women presented with their partners for delivery services. (Mbekenga et.al, 201 1). In another study, many factors hindered male partner involvement in care for their spouses during labor such as lack of knowledge about delivery services, perceptions that pregnancy and child birth are the women’s exclusive concern, non-accommodative health facilities, poor reception from midwives and socio economic status of the family, (Alio et.al, 2013).
Uganda is steadily progressing towards meeting the fifth Sustainable Development Goal (SDG. 5) of abolishing all maternal deaths, but, continues to record rates at over 300 deaths per 100.000 live births with low male involvement of 18.4% during child birth, (MOH, 2010). A lot has been invested in improving maternal health services, but only a few studies have examined the importance of male involvement in care during labour, which critically influences maternal health. Little has been explored about the factors influencing male involvement in care for their spouses in labor, which calls for this study to identify these factors in Kapchorwa hospital. Kapchorwa district.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Male partner involvement in childbirth has remained a serious challenge for safe motherhood globally,(Safe Motherhood, 2015). Despite concerted efforts by several health organisations charged with Maternal and Child Health (MCH), men’s unsupportive attitudes towards care for their spouses during labor has caused a negative impact on their spouses’ and children’s health and further complicated maternal and child mortality and morbidity, (Misra et.al, 2010).
It is estimated that although about 240 million women become pregnant each year globally, only about 12 million men get involved in care of their wives during labor and child birth. In Uganda. the Ministry of Health (MOH) has designed a strategic plan to accelerate reduction of maternal and newborn deaths in Uganda, by the year 2020. one of which is improving male involvement in care for their spouses during labour. However, the MOH (2010), report indicates that only a few (18.4%) males care, support and escort their wives during child birth, (MOH, 2010)
However, Hogan et.al, (201 1), documented that male involvement in care for their spouses during labor has many potential benefits including emotional, physical and psychological support for their partners, establish an earlier relationship between a father and his infant and could help the man to measure up and accept his responsibility as a father.
1.3 Purpose of the Study
To identify factors influencing male involvement in care for their spouses during labor in Kapchorwa hospital. Kapchorwa district so as to devise interventions to increase upon the involvement of male partners in labour and child birth.
1.4 Specific Objectives
- To assess the individual factors influencing male involvement in care for their spouses during labor in Kapchorwa hospital, Kapchorwa district.
- To identify the social cultural factors that influence male involvement in care for their spouses during labor in Kapchorwa hospital, Kapchorwa district
- To assess health facility based factors that influence male involvement in care for their spouses during labor in Kapchorwa hospital, Kapchorwa district.
1.5 Research Questions
What individual factors influence male involvement in care for their spouses during labor in Kapchorwa hospital, Kapchorwa district?
What are the social cultural factors that influence male involvement in care for their spouses during labor in Kapchorwa hospital, Kapchorwa district?
What health facility based factors influence male involvement in care for their spouses during labor in Kapchorwa hospital, Kapchorwa district?
1.6 Justification for the Study
The study would be useful in the following ways;
To Ministry of Health:
Recommendations from this study could be used by the ministry to improve upon sensitization programs targeted at male partners to elaborate more on the importance of their involvement in care for their partners during labour and child birth. This will be achieved by presenting a copy of the final report to the administration of Kapchorwa hospital.
To the health workers in Kapchorwa Hospital:
The study findings could greatly assist health workers in the hospital to organize and disseminate vital information during health education talks with males seeking health services on ways of improving male partner involvement in maternal health care services. This will be ensured by conducting 30 minute sessions of health education at Kapchorwa hospital.
To the administration of Kapchorwa Hospital:
The result from the study would grant sophisticated indicators for health service improvement to the board managers, decision makers and planners to fund and facilitate health education outreaches by health workers aimed at increasing male partners in maternal health care services
To the future researchers:
The study would also make important contribution to future research by providing source of literature on a similar topic. This would be ensured by disseminating a copy of the research report to the school library.
To the researcher:
The study is a partial requirement for the researcher to attain a Diploma in Midwifery by submitting a copy of the research report to Uganda Nurses and Midwives Examinations Board.
