Predictors of male involvement in health facility delivery in Ghana: insights from the 2022 Ghana demographic and health survey

Male involvement during delivery has been noted as an opportunity to improve maternal and child health outcomes particularly health facility delivery as evidence has shown that, delivery in a health facility under the supervision of trained personnel is associated with improved maternal health outcomes. However, this opportunity faces deep-rooted views as pregnancy and childbirth are regarded solely as women’s responsibilities. The present study seeks to determine factors associated with male involvement in health facility delivery during child delivery by their partner. Data for this study was obtained from the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS) conducted between October 2022 to January 2023. The weighted sample for analysis comprised 1,402 men aged 15–49 years. Data was analyzed with STATA version 14 using descriptive, and a multivariable logistic regression analysis. Statistically significant level was set at p < 0.05. The study found that 66.16% of men accompanied partners during child delivery at a health facility. Males aged 35–44 years [AOR = 2.30, CI:1.10–4.77], males with higher educational level [AOR = 1.72, CI:1.00-2.97], belonging to Islamic religion [AOR = 1.96, CI:1.27–3.01], belonging to the Ga/Adangme [AOR = 2.20, CI:1.13–4.30], Other [AOR = 1.80, CI:1.01–3.19] ethnic groups, resident in the Volta [AOR = 2.82, CI:1.01–7.91], and North East [AOR = 2.35, CI:1.01–5.43] regions, had higher odds to accompany partner for child delivery in a health facility. Individual socio-demographic factors such as age, educational level, religion, ethnicity, marital status, and region of residence are associated with males who accompanied partners to a health facility during child delivery. These factors ought to be considered in campaigns and development of new interventions to promote male involvement in maternal health particularly to increase facility delivery.