4305.1: Tuesday, October 23, 2001 - Board 5

Abstract #24438

Male involvement in maternity care: Perceptions of pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Delhi, India

Leila Caleb Varkey, ScD1, Emma Ottolenghi, MD2, Anurag Mishra3, and Anjana Das3. (1) Population Council, New Delhi Office, One Dag Hammarsjkold Plaza, New York, NY 10017, (212) 3390500, lvarkey@pcindia.org, (2) Frontiers in Reproductive Health, Population Council, 4301 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 280, Washington, DC 20008, (3) Population Council, 53 Lodi Estate, New Delhi, INDIA

The idea of integrating men into the reproductive health equation is widely seen as a key to improve the health of the family and rapidly gaining importance. In India cultural and service barriers prevent men from becoming involved, even if they wish to do so. This study is an attempt to assess the impact of male involvement in women’s antenatal, natal and postpartum care on prevelance of sexually transmitted infections and on postpartum family planning use. As a part of the study, the baseline survey covering approximately 450 women attending antenatal clinics at 3 Employees’ State Insurance corporation (ESIC) dispensaries in Delhi was conducted in the winter of 2000-20001. The results from the baseline survey of all pregnant women visiting antenatal clinics in their second trimester are reviewed in this paper. The paper reviews women’s knowledge and attitudes towards pregnancy and delivery care, their perception about husbands’ involvement in ANC, women’s perception on domestic violence with violence experienced by them during current pregnancy, use of family planning and desired family size, STI and HIV/AIDS knowledge and perception of risk. The paper concludes with the recommendations for setting up the appropriate interventions to enhance the male involvement in maternity and ways to accommodate men in women’s reproductive health matters in clinical settings

Learning Objectives: At the end of this session the participants will be able to: 1. Describe the integration of STD diagnosis and treatment in antenatal care services, including the involvement of men. 2. Identify key program features that facilitate the involvement of men in antenatal care services.

Keywords: Reproductive Health Research, STD

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

The 129th Annual Meeting of APHA