Dataset Information

Expectant fathers' knowledge of maternal morbidity: a Sri Lankan experience.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Male partners play an important and vital role in the decision-making process regarding pregnant women's health. The purpose of the present study was to assess the knowledge and awareness of expectant fathers about Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM), Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (PIH), and anaemia during pregnancy.

Methods

A cross sectional descriptive study was carried out among expectant fathers whose partners were attending antenatal clinics at the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital, Sri Lanka. All consenting participants were interviewed by investigators using an interviewer administered questionnaire to collect data on knowledge of risk factors, symptoms, complications and their control. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kruskal Wallis test.

Results

Of the 246 expectant fathers studied, 192 (78%) were aware of GDM, 183 (74.4%) and 154 (62.6%) were aware of PIH and anaemia during pregnancy, respectively. The total number of answers provided by expectant fathers ranged from 0 to 33 (of 41 questions). There were 44 fathers who could not answer even a single question. For GDM, anaemia, and PIH, the percentages of expectant fathers who failed to provide at least a single correct answer were 24.8%, 40.2%, and 31.3%, respectively. The median number of total correct answers provided increased steadily along with the average income (chi-square 31.24, p<0.001) and educational level (chi-square 33.57, p<0.001). Expectant fathers in the 25-34 age group had significantly higher scores, compared to younger and older fathers (chi-square 15.11, p=0.001). Fathers experiencing the second pregnancy of their spouses also had higher scores.

Conclusions

Expectant father's knowledge of the selected morbidities was limited. To improve maternal health, any health promotional programmes should include expectant fathers.

SUBMITTER: Weekrakkody A

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4184315 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Expectant fathers' knowledge of maternal morbidity: a Sri Lankan experience.

Weekrakkody Amaya A Weerasinghe Gihan M GM Weerasinghe Mayumi P MP Weerasekara Gayan L GL Agampodi Suneth B SB

F1000Research 20130501

<h4>Background</h4>Male partners play an important and vital role in the decision-making process regarding pregnant women's health. The purpose of the present study was to assess the knowledge and awareness of expectant fathers about Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM), Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (PIH), and anaemia during pregnancy.<h4>Methods</h4>A cross sectional descriptive study was carried out among expectant fathers whose partners were attending antenatal clinics at the Anuradhapura Te ...[more]

PMID: 25309724

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Dataset Information

Expectant fathers' knowledge of maternal morbidity: a Sri Lankan experience.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Expectant fathers' knowledge of maternal morbidity: a Sri Lankan experience.

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