An Exploration of The Role Played by Men During Pregnancy and Childbirth in Kenya: A Case of Kitui West Sub County

According to gender mainstreaming principles, male involvement during pregnancy and childbirth is a pivotal strategy for improving birth outcomes. The objective of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of the role played by husbands and fiancées during pregnancy and childbirth. To gather data, 135 Antenatal care (ANC) attendees, 30 non-ANC-attendees, 5 nurses and 8 TBAs were interviewed from 10 randomly selected health facilities from 18 health facilities that offer comprehensive health care. This information was collected between 2017 and 2018 in Kitui West- Sub-County, Kenya and was collected through asking two pertinent questions; a) Whether expectant women sought permission before choosing place of delivery, b) Who determined final place of delivery. The study utilized quantitative and qualitative methods of study. Analysis of the study was done by content. From the results; 50 percent of Final place of delivery indicated that; 64 percent out of 135 ANC-attendees delivered in a health facility, 34 percent out of this number were encouraged by significant others. Fifty six percent out of the significant ones were husbands who directed their wives to deliver in a health facility. Out of 49 ANC-attendees who delivered at home, 36.7 percent were influenced by significant others. Out of these significant others, 27 percent were husbands. On the other hand, 6 respondents out of 30 non- ANC-attendees, delivered at home having been instructed by their husbands