Prenatal fear of childbirth among pregnant women and their spouses in Kenya

Objective: The study sought to explore the prenatal fear of childbirth and its contributing factors among pregnant women and their spouses in Kenya. Methods: 254 pregnant women and their spouses participated in this cross-sectional analytical study. A researcher-developed questionnaire was used alongside the Fear of Birth Scale (FOBS) for data collection. Results: 58.6% of pregnant women and 45.7% of their spouses reported high fear of childbirth with primiparous spouses having high fear of childbirth compared to multiparous spouses. Also, the findings revealed a significant relationship between fear of childbirth among pregnant women and variables such as level of education (p = 0.022), parity (p < 0.001), previous mode of childbirth (p < 0.001), going for a routine prenatal check-up (p < 0.001), and having a positive feeling about the expected delivery (p < 0.001). For the spouses, the level of education (p < 0.001), the previous childbirth experience (p < 0.001), and feelings about the forthcoming childbirth (p < 0.001), were significantly associated with prenatal fear of childbirth. Spearman's correlation test results indicated a significant positive correlation between prenatal fear of childbirth among pregnant women and their spouses (r = 0.182, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The study found a significant positive correlation between the fear of childbirth among pregnant women and their spouses. There is a need to address the fear of childbirth not only among pregnant women but also their spouses. This might help to reduce the fear of childbirth, considering the significant role men play in supporting their spouses in the family as well as agents of change.