Table 4.

Women's perspective on male partner companionship during labour and childbirth.

Characteristic	Number	Percent
Should a man be allowed in the delivery room during the delivery of his wife
Yes	254	84.67
No	46	15.33
Why should men be allowed in the delivery (n = 42)a
To treat women better afterwards	81	18.88
To provide emotional support	161	37.53
It may encourage men to support and practice family planning	33	7.68
Helps the mother bear labour pain	32	7.46
An opportunity for the woman to express her problem to a familiar person	92	21.45
Strengthens the couple's relationship	30	6.99
Why should men stay away from the delivery room (n = 46)a
Delivery is women's affair	46	38.02
Men do not have role to play in the delivery room	34	28.1
Men may not love their wives the same way after observing the delivery	18	14.88
He may disturb the health professionals	23	19.01

^aMultiple responses were allowed.