Knowledge, Attitudes, and Support of Partners in Preparation for Motherhood and Maternal Satisfaction with Partner Support: A Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study in the Galle District

Introduction: In Sri Lanka, male partners play a critical role in maternal health, necessitating their knowledge, support, and involvement during pregnancy to enhance outcomes. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and support of husbands regarding preparation for motherhood (PFM) and evaluated women's satisfaction with their husband's support.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 310 married couples attending antenatal clinics at Teaching Hospital Mahamodara in May 2023. Husbands completed a pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire assessing knowledge (good, average, poor), attitudes (positive, negative), and support (highly supportive, moderately supportive, passively supportive). Women evaluated their satisfaction with their husband’s support (highly, moderately, poorly satisfied). Data were analyzed using SPSS 26, employing descriptive statistics and inferential tests
Results: The mean age of husbands and women was 30.59 (SD = 6.32) and 26.68 (SD = 6.28) years, respectively. Good knowledge was observed in 57.4% of husbands, though gaps in nutritional supplementation, sexual activities, and minor complications were noted. All husbands demonstrated positive attitudes, and 98.7% provided high support. Among women, 99.4% reported high satisfaction with their husband's support.
Conclusion: Most husbands exhibited good knowledge, positive attitudes, and high support, contributing to improved PFM and maternal satisfaction. Targeted interventions are necessary to address knowledge gaps in specific areas, further enhancing pregnancy outcomes.