THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN MALE PARTNER INVOLVEMENT AND WOMEN’S BIRTH PREPAREDNESS COMPLICATION READINESS AMONG PREGNANT MOTHERS IN ARTUMA FURSI WOREDA, AMHARA REGION, ETHIOPIA, 2023: A COMMUNITY-BASED UNMATCHED CASE-CONTROL STUDY

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Male partner involvement in birth preparedness and complication readiness (BPCR) is a comprehensive package aimed at encouraging pregnant women and their families to actively prepare for and make decisions about birth. In Ethiopia male partner involvement in birth preparedness complication readiness remains a major public health challenge. However, studies with regard to the association of male partner involvement and women’s birth preparedness complications readiness are scarcely available. Objective: The main objective of this study was to assess the association between male partner involvement and women’s birth preparedness complication readiness among pregnant mothers in Artuma Fursi woreda, Amhara region, Ethiopia, 2023. Methods: A community based unmatched case-control study was conducted among 407 (214 controls and 193 cases) pregnant mothers in Artuma Fursi woreda. Data were collected by using interviewer administered structured questionnaire. The collected data were cleaned, edited and entered into Epi-Info version 7.2.5.0 and exported to SPSS version 25 software for further statistical analysis. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducte. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was reported and statistical significance was set at a p-value < 0.05. Results: One hundred sixty five (85.5%) of male partners of cases were involved in birth preparedness and complication readiness but only thirty three (15.4%) of male partner of controls involved in birth preparedness and complication readiness. The odds of birth preparedness complication readiness were found to be higher among women whose male partner involved on birth preparedness complication readiness compared to those whose male partner has not involved (AOR=16.70, 95% CI: 7.29---38.26). Furthermore, husband education, gestational age, number of wives, history of stillbirth, knowledgeable about components of birth preparedness complication readiness, knowledgeable of danger signs during pregnancy, labor and delivery and postpartum period were significantly associated with birth preparedness and complication readiness, respectively. Conclusion and Recommendation: This study identified better birth preparedness and complication readiness by pregnant women whose male partner involved on birth preparedness and complication readiness than those pregnant women whose male partner has not involved. Strategies that increase male partner involvement on birth preparedness and complication readiness are recommended to improve women’s birth preparedness and complication readiness. Keywords: Male Involvement, Birth Preparedness Complication Readiness, Pregnant Women, Ethiopia.