Results
Baseline characteristics and companion types
A total of 293 women were studied in the experimental
group and 292 in the control group. The mean ages and
parity distribution were similar between groups. However,
they differed in other baseline characteristics. Women in theexperimental group tended to be more educated and skilled
workers; lower cervical dilatations on presentation and a
higher proportion of Yoruba ethnic group than the control
group (Table 1). On type of companion, husbands were
the commonest (65.4%) followed by the sisters (16.4%),
mothers (11%), and others – all females; friends, neighbour
and uncles’ wives (7.2%).