AN ASSESSMENT OF AWARENESS AND PARTICIPATION OF MALE PARTNER IN CARE DURING PREGNANCY IN RURAL FIELD PRACTICE AREAS OF A MEDICAL COLLEGE IN NORTH INDIA

Dr. Adarsh Maurya; Dr. Supriya; Dr. Akansha Bansal; Dr. Anshul Kumar; Dr. Pankaj Kumar Jain

doi:10.65605/a-jmrhs.2026.v04.i02.pp2119-2127

Authors

Dr. Adarsh Maurya Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Uma Nath Singh Autonomous State Medical College, Jaunpur. Author
Dr. Supriya Junior Resident, Department of Community Medicine, Uttar Pradesh University of Medical Sciences, Saifai. Author
Dr. Akansha Bansal Senior Resident, Department of Community Medicine, Autonomous State Medical College, Kanpur Dehat. Author
Dr. Anshul Kumar Senior Resident, Amar Shaheed Jodha Singh Ataiya Thakur Dariyao Singh Medical College, Fatehpur, Up. Author
Dr. Pankaj Kumar Jain Professor and Head, Department Of Community Medicine, Uttar Pradesh University of Medical Sciences, Saifai. Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.65605/a-jmrhs.2026.v04.i02.pp2119-2127

Keywords:

Male Partner Participation, Maternal Care, Antenatal Care, Awareness, Pregnancy, Rural India, Community-Based Study.

Abstract

Background: Male partner participation is an important determinant of maternal health service utilization and pregnancy outcomes. However, evidence regarding men's awareness and involvement in maternal care during pregnancy remains limited in rural India. This study aimed to assess awareness and male partner participation in maternal care during pregnancy and identify factors associated with their involvement in rural North India.

Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 480 husbands of women who had a live birth during the preceding 12 months in the rural field practice areas of a medical college in Etawah, Uttar Pradesh. Data were collected using a pre-designed, pre-tested, interviewer-administered questionnaire adapted from WHO recommendations, national guidelines, and published literature. Awareness was assessed using a 16-item knowledge score, while male partner participation was measured using a composite involvement score. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, and multivariable logistic regression were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 26.0.

Results: Overall, 65.0% of participants demonstrated better awareness regarding maternal care during pregnancy, while 55.4% exhibited adequate male partner participation. Awareness was highest for antenatal care (94.2%) and institutional delivery (85.8%) but comparatively lower for pregnancy danger signs (49.2%) and government maternal health schemes (46.7–55.8%). Better awareness was significantly associated with higher educational status, higher socioeconomic status, joint/three-generation family type, and completion of four or more antenatal visits (all p < 0.05). Adequate male partner participation was significantly associated with better awareness, higher educational status, higher socioeconomic status, and four or more antenatal visits. In multivariable analysis, participants with better awareness had 2.3-fold higher odds of adequate male partner participation (adjusted odds ratio: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.6–3.2), while higher educational status and completion of four or more antenatal visits were also independent predictors.

Conclusions: Although awareness regarding routine maternal care during pregnancy was generally satisfactory, important gaps persisted in knowledge of pregnancy danger signs and government maternal health schemes. Better awareness was independently associated with greater male partner participation. Strengthening male-inclusive antenatal counselling, promoting couple-centred maternal health education, and actively engaging husbands during routine antenatal care may improve male participation and contribute to better maternal and neonatal health outcomes.