The Role of Men in Promoting Maternal Health in Yenagoa Metropolis, Bayelsa State

The high rates of maternal death and morbidity in the poor countries make maternal health a pressing public health concern worldwide. One important strategy for improving maternal health is drawing attention to the involvement of males in these areas. This study investigated how males in Yenagoa Metropolis have helped to raise awareness about maternal health. Descriptive cross-sectional survey methodology was used in the study. After 400 respondents were chosen using multistage and purposive selection, 384 questionnaire were considered valid. Analyses were conducted using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation) and chi-square to test hypotheses at a significance level of 0.05. Data was collected using a standardised questionnaire. These findings demonstrated that males may play a role in promoting maternal health by assisting their partners financially (Mean =3.28) so that they can get prenatal care, give birth in a hospital (Mean =3.03), help with labour preparation, (Mean =2.94)   and offer emotional support during the pregnancy (Mean =2.89). There are a number of issues that prevent males from becoming involved in maternal health activities. These include cultural views, employment commitments, ignorance, and financial restraints. There was a strong relationship between men’s participation in maternal health activities and socio-cultural variables, according to the analysis by inference. The article concluded that men’s participation is critical for improving maternal health outcomes. Therefore, it recommended additional male-oriented health education programs, male-friendly healthcare facilities for mothers, community sensitisation, and policies that encourage men to participate in maternal health promotion.