Determinants of male partner involvement in promoting deliveries by skilled attendants in Busia, Kenya.

A cross-sectional study covering 380 male partners and their spouses was conducted in Busia district in Western Kenya to establish demographic, socio-economic and cultural factors that affect male partner participation in promoting deliveries by skilled attendants. The study showed a significant relationship between level of education (P=0.0000) and level of income (P=0.0004) of the male partner and his support for skilled delivery. Lack of knowledge by male partners of complications associated with delivery, cultural beliefs, high fees charged for deliveries at health facilities and "un-cooperative" health workers are major contributing factors to low male partner involvement in child birth activities. Improving the levels of education and income of male partners, addressing the cultural beliefs and practices, improving health care provider-client relationship and sensitizing men on complications associated with pregnancy and child birth can contribute significantly in enhancing male partner involvement in promoting deliveries by skilled attendants.