Abstract:
This cross sectional study was carried out in the Kahawatte MOH area from 15.07.2004 to
15.09.2004. The study population was families with infants less than six weeks old. The
data on knowledge and attitudes was obtained by questioning the husbands’ directly while
data on practices was obtained by questioning the wives using an interviewer-administered
questionnaire. Independent observations by PHM during home visits were obtained to
validate the data on selected practices. The study found that the husbands in the study
population had a satisfactory knowledge of pregnancy. However their knowledge on
Rubella immunization, time to commence antenatal care, risk conditions and danger signals
during pregnancy, basic investigations during pregnancy. Tetanus Toxoid immunization,
expected weight gain during pregnancy, impacts of anemia on pregnant mother, tablets
given at the antenatal clinic, tasks to be completed before being discharged after delivery,
danger signals during post partum period, abnormal behaviour after delivery, cut off weight
of Low Birth weight, return of fertility after delivery, and the correct time to commence post
partum contraception was unsatisfactory. Overall knowledge on selected aspects of maternal
care was significantly different among the different educational levels. Although the study
population had favorable attitudes towards the village antenatal clinic, assisting wife,
providing nutritious food need to take the tablets given at the clinic, mental health of the
pregnant wife need to provide special care and attention. They had unfavorable attitudes
towards accompanying the wife to ante natal clinic and discussing with health staff
regarding pregnant/post partum mother. The study population had frequently encouraged the
wife to attend antenatal clinic, enquired regarding the advice given at the clinic, provided
facilities to attend clinics, took joint decisions regarding the hospital for delivery, and
provided nutritious food for the pregnant mother and post partum mother, was concerned on
consumption of nutritious foods, and made arrangements to assist during the post partum
period. However, majority of the study population had seldom or never accompanied the
wife to antenatal clinic, enquired regarding weight gain during pregnancy, and discussed
with health staff regarding pregnant or post partum mother's health. It is recommended to
encourage male participation in reproductive health programmes
