SOCIO-CULTURAL DETERMINANTS OF MALE PARTNERS’ PARTICIPATION IN ANTENATAL CARE SERVICES IN THE WA MUNICIPALITY OF THE UPPER WEST REGION, GHANA

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate socio–cultural factors that influence male partner’s participation in antenatal care and its impact on maternal health care. Qualitative method was employed to explore socio-cultural determinants of male partners’ participation in antenatal care services in the Wa municipality of the Upper West Region. A total of 15 male partners were purposively selected from communities in the Wa Municipality. Thematic content analysis was employed for data analysis. The study findings showed that social factors, cultural issues, perception on antenatal care and male partners’ previous experiences have an influence on the number of male partners that visit health facility with their partners for antenatal care services. In conclusion, some men in the Wa Municipality frown upon colleagues visiting the health care facility with their wives to access maternal health services with many saying those who engage in accompanying their wives to ANC are too much in love with their wives and are weak men for that matter. To make matters worse, the few men that actually visit the clinics find themselves in a male unfriendly environment with many saying they get intimidated and isolated by the female dominant environment. It will be very prudent to provide a more friendly and acceptable male environment in their facilities which will enhance the comfort of the male partners and increase their participation.