Men’s awareness of pregnancy care in Bangladesh: a multilevel data analysis

Mohammad Amirul Islam, University of Southampton
Sabu S. Padmadas, University of Southampton
Peter W.F. Smith, University of Southampton

Since Bangladesh approved the ICPD recommendations formulated in 1994 it has demonstrated a considerable success in achieving most of the ICPD goals. Unfortunately, a little has been done in involving men in the reproductive health (RH) process, especially their awareness in pregnancy care. This study explores men’s awareness of pregnancy care using the 1999-2000 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey. About 83% of the men know at least one serious complication related to pregnancy and 82% of them approve of pregnant women having check if not sick. Slightly more than 62% of the men think that pregnant women should have more food than before. A composite indicator named ‘Degree of awareness of pregnancy care’ was measured using three types of information mentioned above. If a man knows at least one serious complication regarding pregnancy, approves pregnant women of having check if not sick and believes that pregnant women should eat more than before, he is considered to be highly aware of pregnancy care. He is considered to be moderately aware if he conforms to at least two of the above, otherwise, he is considered to be poorly aware of pregnancy care. Analysis of data suggests that only 48% of the men are highly aware of pregnancy care. Two-level random intercept multinomial logistic regression analysis suggests that age, division, education, access to mass media, number of living children are significant determinants of degree of awareness of pregnancy care. Significant community effect was found in the data set. The research emphasises that men should be more involved in the pregnancy care component of the ongoing RH program, which is recognised as women oriented to ensure better reproductive health of women. The results highlight the need for appropriate community-level interventions to improve men’s involvement in RH process.