Samuel Ojima Adejoh1 & Adetayo Olorunlana2 & Olatunji Olaosebikan1

Abstract
Purpose Male involvement in maternal healthcare has been
described as a key factor to reducing maternal mortality globally.
Hence, this study investigated the choice of facility to be
used during pregnancy and examined factors that influence
male participation in maternal healthcare issues of their
spouses as these factors may sometimes influence the choice
of health care services for pregnant women.
Method The study was cross-sectional in design; the setting
was at Badagry, Lagos, Nigeria. Thirty married men with at
least the experience of birth of baby, who consented to participate,
were purposively recruited for the study. Data were
transcribed and content analysed using free narrative.
Result The results show that orthodox health care, traditional
birth attendance (TBA), and faith healing were utilised by the
respondents. The majority of the participants identified cost of
health care services, economic recession, and their job demand
as the reasons for their non-active participation in accompanying
their spouses for antenatal clinic visit.
Conclusion However, to increase the level of men’s participation
in maternal healthcare, especially visiting antenatal clinic
with spouses, antenatal services should be free of any monetary
charges so as to encourage men to be involved and not
look for excuses of financial needs. Utilisation of skilled birth
attendance should be reinvigorated.