A study to determine the knowledge,attitude and practice of men towards their involvement in postnatal care of their spouses in ndola urban.

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the knowledge, attitude and practice of men towards their involvement in postnatal care of their spouses in Ndola urban area. It was hoped that factors influencing the menfolk's involvement in postnatal care of their spouses would be determined and an approach to enhance family participation be developed so as to make the community perceive postnatal care not as institutional based but rather community oriented. It was hoped that gaps in the provision of postnatal care would be identified and recommendations made to Ndola Urban District Health Management Team. The study was done in Ndola urban on a sample size of eight (80) male respon¬dents who were randomly selected for the study. A non experimental descriptive research design was undertaken . Respondents were taken from 4 selected residential areas namely , Twapia, Kabushi, Ndeke, and Kansenshi. Therefore, 20 respondents were picked from each of the 4 residential areas. A multi stage sampling method was used in the study to select the residential areas and respondents randomly selected. The data was collected by the use of a structured questionnaire and focus group discussions. The study revealed that educational level and sources of information on postnatal care and parental craft have probable influence on the knowledge, attitude and practice men have on their involvement in postnatal care of their spouses. However, knowledge on Postnatal care did not correspond with the social support given to spouses. The utilization of family planning services was found to be almost half the number of respondents 41 (51%) and only female contraceptive method is used. This was attributed to peer and traditional teaching. The study findings also revealed that very few respondents (21%) learnt about postnatal care through health institutions. It was also evident that men knew very little about exclusive breastfeeding as revealed in the focus group discussions. As a result men did not support exclusive breastfeeding. Generally, the study has revealed that reproductive health programs have marginalized men.