Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness of Men in Uyo Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract : This study examined the personal characteristics, knowledge, and attitudes of expectant fathers in Uyo, Nigeria, towards birth preparedness and complication readiness (BP/CR). Utilizing a convenience sample of 120 expectant fathers, the research explored how factors such as age, marital status, occupation, and education level influenced their understanding of and engagement in maternal health practices. Data obtained were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics such as frequency and correlation. The results indicated that most fathers were in their prime reproductive years (65, 54.2%), predominantly Christians (116, 96.7%), married (72, 60%), and employed (96, 80%), often as businessmen or traders (66, 55%) with a tertiary level of education (82, 68.3%). Also, majority demonstrated high knowledge (100, 83.3%) and positive attitudes towards BP/CR (84, 70%), with marital status (0.993), occupation (0.949), and number of children (0.964) showing strong correlations with favorable attitudes (p<0.01). These findings underscore the importance of socio-cultural factors in shaping paternal involvement in maternal health, advocating for targeted interventions that consider these variables to enhance male participation in maternal care and improve maternal and neonatal outcomes.