Participation of male commercial motorcyclists in pregnancy and delivery care in Ibadan North Local Government Area, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Male partners' involvement in pregnancy and delivery care is critical for improving mother and child health outcomes, especially in areas with high maternal death rates, such as Nigeria. This study investigates the role of male commercial motorcyclists in pregnancy and delivery care in Ibadan North Local Government Area, Nigeria.Materials and methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out on 453 male commercial motorcyclists in Ibadan North Local Government Area. The participants were married men aged 18 and up, whose wives had given birth during the previous two years. Data was gathered using pre-tested semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaires and analyzed with IBM SPSS version 22.0, which displayed descriptive statistics in tables and charts. The chi-square test and binary logistic regression were used to determine determinants of active participation in pregnancy and delivery care.Results: Approximately 67.8% of respondents were actively engaged in pregnancy and delivery care.Financial help for antenatal care (94.7%), delivery transport (87.2%), and attendance at antenatal sessions (59.8%) were the most commonly reported areas of engagement. Notably, 49.4% of dads were there throughout their child's delivery. Men in monogamous relationships are significantly more likely to be actively involved than those in polygamous relationships (OR: 2.43, 95% CI: 1.37-4.31).Conclusion: Two-thirds of respondents actively cared for their wives during pregnancy and delivery. To increase male engagement, interventions should promote supportive family situations and improve knowledge and attitudes towards maternal healthcare.