MALE INVOLVEMENT IN PRENATAL CARE: IMPACTS ON PREGNANCY AND BIRTH OUTCOMES

Male involvement in women’ health has recently attracted much attention due to its role in health and gender issues. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of husband attendance at prenatal care on some pregnancy and birth outcomes in Sabzevar in 2008-2009. Methods& materials: This single blinded randomized clinical trial was carried out on 186 primigravid women admitted to 3 health centers in Sabzevar. Inclusion criteria included wanted pregnancy and primigravidity. In the experimental group، women with their husbands attended at the health centers and in the control group women attended alone. Interview form included demographic، obstetrics، and pregnancy’s outcomes information. Data was analyzed using SPSS software version 15 through t-test، χ2، and man-witney-u at the significant level of 0. 05. The two groups were not significantly different with regard to gestational age at delivery، birth weight، weight gain in first، second and third trimester of pregnancy. Mothers’ weight at the first postpartum visit was higher in experimental group than control (P=0. 03). The two groups were not significantly different with regard to the pregnancy outcomes. Women’s reports indicated a higher level of satisfaction of husband involvement in the care of baby (P<0. 001)، taking care of the baby in his mother''s absence (P<0. 01) and husband support of breastfeeding (P=0. 009) in the experimental group. Husband attendance at prenatal care does not affect pregnancy outcomes but it brings more husband involvement and support for mother and neonate at postpartum period.