Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Regarding Antenatal Care among Husbands of Primiparous Mothers Attending Antenatal Clinics at De Soysa Maternity Hospital in Colombo

Abstract

Antenatal care (ANC) aims to monitor the health status of the mother and her baby during the antenatal period. In the Sri Lankan cultural setting, husbands play a major role as decision makers in the family context, and their knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) positively impact maternal health. These factors help prevent complications during the antenatal period, enable early detection of risk factors, timelytreatment, and ensure access to health facilities. A quantitative non-experimental research study was conducted at the antenatal clinic of De Soysa Maternity Hospital in Colombo to assess KAP regarding ANC among husbands of primiparous mothers attending the clinic. A total of 250 husbands of primiparous mothers were subjected to a self-administered questionnaire over a period of two months. The study demonstrated significant associations between socio-demographic factors and husbands’ KAP regarding antenatal care. Education was strongly correlated with knowledge (r = 0.402, p < 0.001), and younger husbands (18–24 years) showed better knowledge compared to older husbands. Attitudes were significantly influenced by ethnicity (r = –0.213, p = 0.001) and religion (r = –0.127, p = 0.046), indicating variation in favourability across groups. In contrast, practice showed no significant association with income (r = 0.090, p = 0.158). The study highlights the importance of focused, culturally sensitive interventions to promote active husband participation during the antenatal period. In conclusion, the study provides valuable insights into husbands' involvement in antenatal care. Variables such as age, education, ethnicity, and religion influenced knowledge and attitudes. These findings support efforts to strengthen male involvement for better maternal and child health outcomes.