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Article
Husbands’ knowledge and attendance at wives’ postpartum care among rural farmers
Health Care for Women International (2018)
  • Yenupini Joyce Adams, Kennesaw State University
  • Manfred Stommel, Michigan State University
  • Adejoke Ayoola, Calvin College
  • Mildred Horodynski, Michigan State University
  • Address Malata, Malawi University of Science and Technology
  • Barbara Smith, Michigan State University
Abstract
We examined husbands’ knowledge and attendance at their wives’ postpartum visit in a sample of rural husband-and-wife farmer dyads in central Malawi. A cross-sectional matched-pairs survey of 70 husband-and-wife farmer dyads, who lived in rural communities in Ntcheu district, and had a live birth in the past year was conducted. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered, structured postpartum questionnaire adapted from WHO Safe Motherhood Needs Assessment Questionnaires. Many husbands did not know about postpartum assessments and education their wives received from health facilities. Percent agreement between dyads’ responses was lower on questions referring to assessments than to education. The odds of reporting that the woman received postpartum assessments were greater among husbands than among wives. Fifty-nine percent of husbands did not go with their wives for one-week postpartum visits. Top three reasons for not attending visits were: at work, out of town, and did not see the need. 
Keywords
  • cross-sectional studies,
  • knowledge,
  • male,
  • maternal health services,
  • postnatal care
Publication Date
September 2, 2018
DOI
10.1080/07399332.2018.1491976
Publisher Statement
Post-print housed here. Follow DOI for version of record.
Citation Information
Yenupini Joyce Adams, Manfred Stommel, Adejoke Ayoola, Mildred Horodynski, et al.. "Husbands’ knowledge and attendance at wives’ postpartum care among rural farmers" Health Care for Women International Vol. 39 Iss. 9 (2018) p. 1020 - 1037 ISSN: 0739-9332
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/yenupini-adams/1/