M.E. Khan, PhD, Population Council, Population Council, India, One Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, New York, NY 10017, 91-11-24610913, mekhan@pcindia.org and John Townsend, PhD, Frontiers in Reproductive Health, Population Council, 4301 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 280, Washington, DC 20008.

There is growing emphasis on involving men in reproductive health particularly safe motherhood. Low participation of men in maternity care is partly because of the gender based division on labor where maternity care has been traditionally part of women affairs. Partly because of the lack of knowledge among men about danger women face during maternity and the physical and mental support they need during this period. Government health program also helps in perpetuating isolation of men from maternity care by ignoring them in their educational campaign.

Are men in Bangladesh involved in maternity care? Present paper based on quantitative (survey of 3900 women & 600 men) and qualitative (92 in-depth interview of women) data attempts to answer this question. Using multiple data sets, the paper assesses the extent men are informed about maternity cares and actually support their wives during pregnancy.

The study revealed that in general men had good knowledge of maternity cares. Women interview particularly case studies revealed that men’s participation in maternity care varied vastly from good care to total negligence. The general ethos however was more supportive than commonly believed. Many women reported husband being less demanding, taking care of children, ensuring ANC and sharing some house hold chores. The variation is explained in terms of, gender equity and awareness of maternity care Learning points: When men are aware of the need of maternity cares and possible pregnancy complications then they are more supportive to their wives.

Learning Objectives:

• To assess the extent men are involved in maternity care
• To assess wether men are interested to participate in maternity care

Keywords: Maternal Care, Male Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.