Attitudes of Nigerian women toward the presence of their husband or partner as a support person during labor.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the attitudes of Nigerian women regarding the presence of a husband/partner during labor.


METHODS
Women who were invited to participate in a randomized trial regarding companionship in labor at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Nigeria, were interviewed in a qualitative cross-sectional survey. Demographic characteristics and opinions regarding the presence of a partner/husband as a support person during labor were assessed.


RESULTS
Of the 197 women interviewed, 69 declined all forms of social companionship during labor; of the remaining 128 participants--who did not object to having a social companion--71 declined to have their husband/partner present during labor because of: personal embarrassment (28 [39.4%]); fear of loss of sexual attractiveness (19 [26.8%]); concern for their husband/partner (17 [23.9%]); and lack of privacy (15 [21.1%]). Of the 57 women whose husband/partner accompanied them during labor, 38 (66.7%) said that they would repeat the experience in subsequent labor, and 34 (59.6%) would recommend it. However, 15 (26.3%) expressed dissatisfaction.


CONCLUSIONS
The issue of husband/partner companionship during labor is viewed with concern by Nigerian women, who should be allowed to make an informed decision.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria. oborovo@yahoo.com
Victor O
VO
Oboro
Ayodeji O
AO
Oyeniran
Samuel E
SE
Akinola
Adegboye I
AI
Isawumi
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007743:Labor, Obstetric / Q000523:psychology*; D009549:Nigeria; D011247:Pregnancy; D012944:Social Support; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult