Introduction: Safe motherhood initiative is a global effort conceived by, World health organization in 1987 to reduce the high maternal mortality rate and illnesses resulting from complications of pregnancy and child birth. Hence an attempt is being made to find the knowledge of the expectant fathers regarding safe motherhood in Narayana medical college hospital, Nellore, Andhrapradesh.
Objective: To assess the level of knowledge among expectant fathers and to associate the level of knowledge of expectant fathers with selected socio-demographic variables.
Material and methods: The present hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted in Narayana medical college hospital Chinthareddypalem, Nellore, Andhrapradesh state (India) from 21/4/14 to 30/4/14. The study sample included 30 expectant fathers of aged 20-35years age group selected by convenience sampling method.
Results and discussion: In the present study, with regard to level of knowledge among 30 samples 18(60%) fathers have inadequate knowledge, 11(36.7%) fathers have average knowledge and 1(3.3%) father has adequate knowledge regarding safe motherhood. With regard to association between the levels of knowledge regarding safe motherhood among expectant fathers with demographic variables, Age and Religion has significant association at α =0.05 level. Type of family, Education status of fathers, Occupation of fathers, Number of children, Health information have no significant association regarding safe motherhood.
Conclusion: The findings of study revealed that majority of fathers 18(60%) have inadequate knowledge. Educational programme needs to be organized to improve the knowledge of fathers and reduce the maternal mortality rate.
