Abstract:
Background: Obstetric danger signs are signs and symptoms that occur during pregnancy (ante
partum), childbirth (intra-partum) and immediately after delivery (postpartum). Even though
knowing the obstetrics danger signs is one way to eliminate the first level of delay, still there is
no adequate finding regarding knowledge of husbands.
Objective: To assess knowledge of obstetric danger signs and associated factors among
Husbands having pregnant wives in Sodo Dachi, south west Shoa zone, Oromia, Ethiopia, 2024.
Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study design was employed. The study period was
May 01/2023 to June 30/2023. Four hundred twenty (420) men were selected from 1078 by
using simple random sampling technique (lottery method). Data were collected by using
interviewer-administered structured questionnaires. The collected data were checked for its
completeness and coded, then entered to EPI data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 25
for analysis. All predictor’s variables with p-value <0.25 in bivariable analysis were entered into
multivariable logistic regression analysis. Variables with a p-value of less than 0.05 in the
multivariable analysis were taken as statistically significant predictors of knowledge of obstetrics
danger sign.
Results: From 420 participants 412(98.1) were completed the interview. This study revealed that
266(64.6%) [95% CI 61.4, 71. 9] of husbands were knowledgeable about obstetrics danger sign.
Respondent age group 35-39 (AOR=6.026 [95%CI :( 1.58, 22.96], Respondent who have
information (AOR= 1.791, [95% CI: 1.048, 3.061], wife who attend secondary education
(AOR=1.59, [95% CI: 1.06, 2.39], participation in Health Development Army (AOR=2.048
[95% CI: 1.223, 3.431] were significantly associated with knowledge of obstetrics danger sign.
Conclusion and recommendation: Husband’s knowledge towards obstetric danger signs were
266(64.6%) knowledgeable. Respondent age 35-39, wife age <35, and respondent who have
information, wife participation in health development army, wife educational status, and number
of pregnancy (gravidity) were the most significant predictive factors for knowledge of obstetrics
danger sign. Therefore, it would be better if concerned bodies work on these identified factors
accordingly and enhancing husbands’ knowledge regarding obstetrics danger signs
