Health practitioners encourage male participation in antenatal care to prevent maternal deaths

According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey, Kenya records 342 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births.

The report further shows that many of these deaths occur during delivery or within 48 hours after childbirth, largely due to preventable causes such as excessive bleeding, infections, and hypertensive disorders.

The data also highlights gaps in care, with only about 61 percent of women completing the recommended four or more antenatal care visits, and disparities in access to skilled birth attendance still evident between urban and rural areas.

The Ministry of Health recently held a discussion themed “Men in Maternity: Male Partner Involvement in Maternal and Newborn Health,” where stakeholders emphasized that male involvement remains a critical gap in maternal healthcare.

Speaking during the session, Lawrence Omondi, Founder of Machozi Ya Mwisho Initiative, said pregnancy should not be viewed as a woman’s responsibility alone.

He noted that male involvement plays a key role in ensuring better maternal and newborn outcomes, adding that responsibility extends to emotional support, decision-making, and preparedness for emergencies.

Experts at the forum highlighted that limited male engagement contributes to delays in seeking care.

According to Ministry of Health reports, delays at the household level account for a significant proportion of maternal deaths, as men who are often primary decision-makers may delay or fail to approve timely access to medical care.

The first delay in maternal care occurs at the household and community level, making male involvement not just beneficial, but lifesaving.

Health experts note that when men actively participate, women are more likely to attend antenatal care, deliver in health facilities, and seek postnatal care.

Newborns are also more likely to receive timely medical attention, while emotional and psychological support from partners helps reduce the risk of postpartum depression.

These outcomes reinforce why male involvement has become a key focus in Kenya’s maternal health strategies.

Dr. Edward Serem, Head of Division for Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) at the Ministry of Health, argued that knowledge is central to meaningful involvement.

He said men need to move beyond financial provision and actively participate in pregnancy and childbirth processes, including attending antenatal clinics and understanding danger signs.

The importance of antenatal care was also underscored during the discussion, with experts noting that women who attend the recommended visits are more likely to deliver in health facilities and receive skilled care, significantly reducing the risk of complications and death.

Dr. Patrick Amoth, Director General at the Ministry of Health Kenya, called for a broader approach to tackling maternal mortality. He urged for strengthened accountability, increased community awareness, and improved healthcare systems to support both mothers and newborns.

KNBS data further indicate that neonatal mortality remains at 21 deaths per 1,000 live births, with preterm births and birth-related complications among the leading causes. 

So what does “showing up” actually look like? Experts say it goes beyond being physically present. It includes attending antenatal clinic visits, learning about pregnancy and newborn care, preparing for emergencies, and offering emotional support before and after delivery.

It also requires challenging harmful cultural beliefs and stepping into roles that have traditionally been left to women.