Factors Associated With Male Partner Attendance in Antenatal Care Services in Gakenke District

Purpose: Comprehensive maternal health is hampered by the extremely low rates of male antenatal care (ANC) participation in rural Rwanda. Factors related to male participation in ANC services in Gakenke District were examined in this study. Methodology: Structured questionnaires were used to survey 235 women who were attending antenatal care. Descriptive statistics, logistic regression, and chi-square tests were used to analyze the data. Findings: Limited male engagement was indicated by the fact that only 35.3% (95% CI [0.29 - 0.42]) of respondents said they were accompanied by their male partners. Age and marital status did not significantly correlate with ANC attendance. However, education turned out to be a significant predictor: men with primary or secondary education were less likely to attend, whereas those with higher education were significantly more likely to do so (AOR = 2.80, p =0.025). Strong sociocultural influences were also present: male involvement was significantly increased by peer encouragement (AOR = 4.74, p <0.001) and supportive community norms (AOR = 4.56, p <0.001), while family and friend influence were not statistically significant. Self-employment increased participation among socioeconomic variables (AOR = 3.59, p <0.001), whereas full-time and part-time employment had a negative correlation. Institutional support was important; men who were exposed to community programs that promoted male involvement (AOR = 4.10, p <0.001) and those who were encouraged by healthcare providers (AOR = 2.20, p =0.011) were significantly more likely to attend. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Male partner attendance in antenatal care services in Gakenke District is low but influenced positively by higher education, supportive community norms, peer encouragement, self-employment, and institutional outreach. Addressing educational gaps, transforming sociocultural norms, and strengthening health system efforts through targeted interventions are essential to increase male involvement. Enhancing male participation in ANC is critical to improving maternal and child health outcomes in rural Rwanda.