Husband participation in birth prepareness and complication readiness and utilization of delivery services in Indonesia

Husband has potential to engage in three obstetric delays, so husband is expected to be involved in preparation of childbirth and decision-making action against possible complications, in addition to play a role in maintaining maternal health during pregnancy. Although the government has attempted this in the antenatal care policy, participation of husbands has been less successful in motivating mothers to utilize maternal services. This study identify the association between husband participation in birth prepareness and complication readiness with the utilization of delivery services in Indonesia. Research with cross sectional approach, using data of IDHS 2012. Women of childbearing age who gave birth within one year before survey become population. Sample size was 504 respondents. Husband’s participation is measured only in birth prepareness and complication readiness. Data were analyzed using logistic regression test. Utilization of delivery service at health facility in Indonesia is 73,2%, but well birth prepareness and complication readiness as husband’s participation in mother’s health is only equal to 46,8%. The results of logistic regression test showed that woman whose birth prepareness and complication readiness wellplanned by her husband, more likely to utilize delivery service at health facility (POR 1.59; 95% CI 1.06- 2,37) than woman whose birth prepareness and complication readiness not well-planned by her husband. In this study, maternal age, maternal education, husband education, index of economic status, and decision makers also proved statistically significant in relation with utilization of delivery services at health facilities. There is an association between husband’s participation in birth prepareness and complication readiness with the utilization of delivery services in Indonesia. Optimizing antenatal care becomes a moment for health workers to encourage husband participation in birth prepareness and complication readiness.