FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO LOW INVOLVEMENT OF MEN IN ANTENATAL CARE SERVICES AMONG MEN ATTENDING MEDICAL SERVICES AT OBER HEALTH CENTER IV, LIRA DISTRICT. A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

Background Antenatal care (ANC) can be defined as the care provided by skilled health-care professionals to pregnant women and adolescent girls in order to ensure the best health conditions for both mother and baby during pregnancy. This study assessed factors contributing to low involvement of men in antenatal care services among men attending medical services at Ober Health Center IV, Lira district. Methodology A descriptive cross-sectional research design was used, and a simple random technique was employed. Data was collected on a sample size of 50 respondents using a structured questionnaire; later analyzed manually using tally sheets and computed into percentages using Microsoft Excel, and illustrated as figures and tables. Results 60%) were in the age group 31-35years, 56% had attained secondary level of education, (58%) had never heard about males’ involvement in ANC services, and (58%) reported the expected role of males’ involvement in ANC services was to access information on child health care. (72%) Some respondents reported that sometimes their female partner had ever invited them to go together for ANC services, (52%) had ever made a decision on seeking ANC services, and (60%) reported community members were not supportive of male partner involvement. (90%) reported one could have spent 1hour at the facility for an ANC visit, and (68%) reported that they don’t pay for access to ANC services at this facility Conclusion The study discovered a lack of knowledge, inadequate joint decision making, failure to invite men by their female partners to go for ANC, long waiting, and a day schedule for ANC were the major factors contributing to low involvement of men in antenatal care services among men attending medical services. Recommendation The administration of Ober health center IV should continue to promote male friendly services in order to increase male’s uptake in ANC services.