Abstract
Abstract
Background: Paternal involvement in maternity care is a critical but underutilised determinant of maternal health outcomes in Nigeria. Among the range of barriers constraining male engagement, socio-economic factors — principally work commitment and the absence of statutory paternity leave — are the most commonly cited yet least systematically studied in Nigerian community settings.
Objective: This study examined socio-economic challenges constraining paternal involvement in maternity care in Calabar Metropolis, Cross River State, Nigeria, and tested the strength of their association with male engagement levels.
Method: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 400 respondents selected from 22 electoral wards across Calabar Municipality and Calabar South Local Government Areas using stratified random sampling and the Taro Yamane formula. A structured, self-administered questionnaire assessed socio-economic barriers, opinions on paternity leave policy, and financial constraints on paternal ANC attendance. Pearson's correlation coefficient tested three research hypotheses at α = 0.05.
Results: Work commitment was the single most commonly cited barrier to paternal involvement (35%), surpassing all cultural, attitudinal, and knowledge-related barriers. An overwhelming 80% of respondents endorsed universal paternity leave legislation and employer-granted paid leave for ANC attendance, while 82.5% supported community emergency maternity transport funds. Pearson's correlation confirmed significant positive associations: H01 (r = 0.650, p = 0.002), H02 (r = 0.710, p = 0.002), and H03 (r = 0.650, p = 0.002).
Conclusions: Socio-economic barriers are statistically significant structural determinants of paternal involvement in Calabar Metropolis. Without policy-level interventions — including paternity leave legislation, employer sensitisation, and community transport schemes — individual-level interventions will achieve only limited impact on male engagement in maternity care in Nig
eria.
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