Published in PLOS One on 2026-04-02, this study is presented as an attributed evidence briefing. The excerpts below are the original researchers’ words, reproduced under their Creative Commons Attribution licence. Health Signal has selected the abstract and, where needed, opening background paragraphs; the complete methods, results, limitations and references remain in the linked paper.
Original authors: Saidi Appeli, Christine Chandia, Jonathan Izudi
Source: PLOS One • DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0346040
Read the complete primary study ↗ · Creative Commons Attribution licence
From the researchers
Abstract
Adolescent pregnancy is associated with several challenges, and partner support is crucial. However, the causal effect of partner support on the use of maternal health services among pregnant adolescents has not been rigorously examined. We assessed the causal effect of partner support on the frequency of antenatal care (ANC) visits among married adolescents in rural Uganda.
We conducted a quasi-experimental study using observational data from a cross-sectional study that involved married adolescents aged 10–19 years in rural northwestern Uganda. The primary exposure was partner support, measured as a binary variable. Adolescents were considered to have received support if their spouse encouraged ANC attendance, accompanied them to visits, or provided financial or emotional support during ANC; otherwise, they were classified as having not received support. The primary outcome was the number of ANC visits, while the secondary outcome was attending four or more ANC visits. Propensity score weighting was used to ensure covariate comparability between the partner support groups (yes vs. no). Poisson regression was used to estimate the causal effect of partner support on the number of antenatal care (ANC) visits (primary outcome), while the modified Poisson regression was used to estimate the causal effect on attending four or more visits (secondary outcome).
Of 281 participants, 205 (72.9%) received partner support. Among participants with partner support compared to those without partner support, the frequency of ANC visits (Risk Ratio 1.15, 95% CI: 1.00–1.32) and four or more ANC visits (Risk Ratio 1.25, 95% CI: 1.01–1.52) improved.
The study showed that partner support was associated with improvements in ANC visit frequency and attendance of four or more ANC visits, among married adolescents in northwestern Uganda. Interventions aimed at improving ANC utilization should consider engaging and educating partners, as their support positively influences ANC utilization.
Introduction
Adolescent pregnancy remains a critical public health issue and a risk factor for maternal mortality, particularly in low-resource settings where access to quality antenatal care (ANC) is limited [1–3]. Global estimates indicate that 295,000 women died of pregnancy and childbirth-related complications in 2017 [4]. Moreover, there are 42 births for every 1,000 teenage girls, with the majority of them being in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) [5]. In Uganda, about 25% of girls aged 15–19 years have begun having children [6]. Adolescence, spanning from 10 to 19 years of age, therefore represents a crucial phase in life characterized by significant biological, psychological, and social transformations [7]. Given the heightened risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes among adolescents resulting from biological immaturity and socio-economic difficulties, early ANC access and partner support [8] are crucial interventions for enhancing health outcomes. Male participation in maternal health can take several forms, such as attending ANC with a spouse, contributing money for ANC events, and offering emotional support, including talking with a partner about problems that arise during ANC [9–12]. In this study, we defined partner support based on adolescents receiving any one of the following: financial or emotional support during ANC, escorting the adolescent to ANC visits, or encouraging ANC attendance from the partner/husband. Male participation in ANC is linked to improved access to skilled birth attendance, birth preparedness and complication readiness, including fewer delays in seeking medical attention when needed [9,12,13].
Reading this evidence
Use the full paper to check the study design, participant selection, comparator and outcome definitions before drawing a practical conclusion. An association does not by itself show cause and effect. A reported performance measure needs its denominator and uncertainty. A finding from a particular facility, sample or time period should retain that scope when it is discussed elsewhere.
This briefing makes the source accessible within the wider financing & policy desk. It does not assess an individual patient or certify a product. When considering relevance to another health system, examine the original authors’ account of context and limitations, then seek local implementation evidence. The related reporting below provides other studies to read alongside this one; it is a topic connection, rather than a claim that their results are directly comparable.
© 2026 Saidi Appeli, Christine Chandia, Jonathan Izudi. Excerpts reproduced under CC BY. Selection, formatting and contextual notes by Health Signal. The researchers are the authors of the source study, not members of Health Signal’s staff.
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