Background: Maternal and neonatal health outcomes remains poor in global south despite appreciable priority given for involving male partners in birth preparedness and complication readiness packages. Male partners in low- and middle-income countries determine women’s access to and affordability of health services and directly influence their health outcomes. This systematic review and meta-analysis determine the pooled magnitude of the male partner’s participation in birth preparedness and complication readiness in the global south.

Methods: Literature published in the English language from 2004 to 2019 were retrieved using appropriate search terms on Google Scholar, PubMed/MEDLINE, CINHAL, Scopus, and Embase. The Joanna Briggs Institute Meta-Analysis of Statistics Assessment and Review Instrument (JBI-MAStARI) was used for critical appraisal of studies.  A pooled statistical meta-analysis was conducted using STATA Version 14.0 software. The heterogeneity and publication bias were assessed using the I² statistics and Egger’s test, respectively. Duval and Tweedie's nonparametric trim and fill analysis using the random-effect analysis was carried out to validate the publication bias and high heterogeneity. The Random effects model was used to estimate the summary prevalence of birth preparedness and complication readiness and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI). The review protocol has registered in PROSPERO number CRD42019140752. The PRISMA flow chart was used to indicate the number of articles identified, included and excluded, and the reasons for exclusions.

Results: Twelve studies and 4210 participants were included. The overall pooled result showed 52.3% of male partners of pregnant women and nursing mothers were prepared for birth and its complications. Forty-nine percent of male partners saved money for delivery and 40.5% of them identified skilled birth attendants, and 55% of male partners saved money for birth or its complication. Only 42.1% of male partners arranged transportation and 59.8% of them identified the place of birth. Only 18.9% of male partners identified a potential blood donor for emergency cases of childbirth and postpartum complication.

Conclusions: A low proportion of male partners were participated in birth preparedness and complication readiness in global south. Countries in the global south region should review their health care policies and design innovative and scalable strategies to improve birth preparedness and complication readiness practice among male partners of pregnant women and nursing mothers.