Abstract:
Studies have contributed to determine the status of women’s knowledge over the danger
signs of obstetrics complications. But this study aimed at determining the status of
knowledge and awareness of the danger signs of obstetric complications amongst men and
to identify associated factors.
A cross sectional study conducted in Musoma district in Mara region, where a total of 306
adult men whose female partners delivered a baby in the preceding year of the study were
interviewed. Consecutive house to house survey was done to achieve study sample size.
Logistic regression model was fitted to determine the association between knowledge of
danger signs of obstetric complications against a set of possible determinants while
controlling for confounding and clustering effect.
This study revealed that 32% of men were found to have knowledge of danger signs of
obstetric complications. In addition 45% of men who attending ANC clinic and received
health talk were found to be knowledgeable than those who do not (p- value 0.044). The
likelihood of knowledge of danger signs of obstetric complications increased two folds
higher for men who accompanied their spouses to the post-natal clinics (OR 1.88, p- value
0.054). Men who were able to write and read were 50% higher the likelihood of having
knowledge on danger signs of obstetric complications than those who were illiterate (OR
1.49, 95%, CI, p-value 0.004). There were no observed relations when knowledge of
danger signs was compared with age of respondents, level of education, ability to read and
write duration and types of relationship and preparations prior delivery.
Thus there is need to expand investment in educating men, so that more men are informed
of the correct information regarding danger signs of obstetric complications. That will
improve on informed decisions which positively impact to reduce maternal mortality and
morbidity. However, this study recommends the use of media and particularly radio to expedite dissemination of educative messages to reach more men.
