Male Involvement in Antenatal Care, Women’s Reproductive and Child Health Service Utilisation, and Its Associated Factors: An Analytical Cross-Sectional Study in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Abstract

Background: Male involvement in antenatal care (ANC) is associated with improved maternal and child health
outcomes; however, its influence on women’s utilisation of reproductive and child health services remains unclear in
Tanzania. Although some studies have linked partner participation to increased use of skilled birth attendance, there is
limited evidence on whether women accompanied by their partners during ANC are more likely to utilise other essential
reproductive and child health services. This study, therefore, examines the extent of male involvement in ANC, women’s
uptake of key ANC-related services, and the factors that determine this utilisation.
Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted at a primary healthcare facility in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania,
involving 396 postnatal mothers who had delivered within the previous 3 to 18 months and attended under-five or family
planning clinics. The timeframe ensured completion of the 42-day postnatal check-up and likely return for immunisation
or family planning. Participants were selected consecutively, and data were collected using a structured questionnaire.
Analyses were conducted in STATA version 15 using a modified Poisson regression model, with statistical significance
defined as P<.05.
Results: Out of 396 women, more than half, 54.3% (n=215), were aged between 25 years and 34 years. Two-thirds
of women 67% (n=265) reported being accompanied by a partner at least once during antenatal care (ANC), and
62% (n=245) had partner attendance at their first ANC visit, indicating moderate male involvement in this setting. Male
involvement during ANC was associated with a 36% higher prevalence of early ANC initiation (adjusted prevalence
ratio [aPR] 1.36; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.77). However, no significant association was observed between male involvement
and postnatal care (PNC) attendance within seven days postpartum or the use of modern family planning, indicating that
partner presence alone may not be sufficient to influence all aspects of reproductive and child health service utilisation.
Conclusion: Male involvement during antenatal care was associated with earlier ANC initiation, showing that partner
support can facilitate timely care-seeking. However, no significant association was found with postnatal care attendance
or modern family planning use, suggesting that partner presence alone may not influence all aspects of reproductive
and child health service utilisation. Interventions should therefore combine partner engagement with broader strategies
to promote comprehensive maternal and child health services