Barriers to involvement of male partner in antenatal care services in Sonipat district, Haryana: a mixed method study

Male partner involvement in antenatal care is crucial for improving maternal and neonatal outcomes, yet participation remains limited in many parts of India, with context-specific evidence still limited. To address this gap, the present study was conducted to examine barriers to men’s involvement in antenatal care and to identify factors associated with their participation in the Sonipat district of Haryana, India. A convergent parallel mixed-method design was employed. Quantitative data were collected from 260 women using a semi-structured schedule, and qualitative data were gathered through six focus group discussions with male participants. After taking written informed consent, all the participants were interviewed using a predesigned, pretested semi-structured schedule for desired information, and a FGD guide was used to collect qualitative data. The study found that 80.8% of male partners were involved in antenatal care among 260 participants. Higher male involvement was noted among women with postgraduate education. Male participation was significantly higher in planned pregnancies (87.1%) compared to unplanned ones (36.1%). Focus group discussions revealed barriers such as negative healthcare provider attitudes, economic constraints, and cultural norms. The study demonstrates a higher male involvement in antenatal care than some prior reports from India. However, several sociocultural and systemic barriers persist. To enhance male participation, it is imperative to address these challenges through targeted interventions, such as improving healthcare provider attitudes, reducing financial burdens, and implementing policies that support paternity leave.