Improving research, policy and practice to promote paternal involvement in pregnancy outcomes: the roles of obstetricians–gynecologists

Bond, M. Jermane; Heidelbaugh, Joel J.; Robertson, Audra; Alio, Paula Amina; Parker, Willie J.

doi:10.1097/gco.0b013e3283404e1e

Cited by 14 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…Uganda’s Ministry of Health has a policy that supports male involvement in reproductive health. The ways in which the policy is implemented might discourage men from playing active roles [22]. Despite the importance attached to men’s involvement in Uganda, there is limited research on male involvement during pregnancy and childbirth in Uganda, particularly from the men’s perspective, which hampers development of contextualized appropriate interventions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Male involvement during pregnancy and childbirth: men’s perceptions, practices and experiences during the care for women who developed childbirth complications in Mulago Hospital, Uganda

Kaye

Kakaire

Nakimuli

et al. 2014

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth

151

179

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BackgroundDevelopment of appropriate interventions to increase male involvement in pregnancy and childbirth is vital to strategies for improving health outcomes of women with obstetric complications. The objective was to gain a deeper understanding of their experiences of male involvement in their partners’ healthcare during pregnancy and childbirth. The findings might inform interventions for increasing men’s involvement in reproductive health issues.MethodsWe conducted 16 in-depth interviews with men who came to the hospital to attend to their spouses/partners admitted to Mulago National Referral Hospital. All the spouses/partners had developed severe obstetric complications and were admitted in the high dependency unit. We sought to obtain detailed descriptions of men’s experiences, their perception of an ideal “father” and the challenges in achieving this ideal status. We also assessed perceived strategies for increasing male participation in their partners’ healthcare during pregnancy and childbirth. Data was analyzed by content analysis.ResultsThe identified themes were: Men have different descriptions of their relationships; responsibility was an obligation; ideal fathers provide support to mothers during childbirth; the health system limits male involvement in childbirth; men have no clear roles during childbirth, and exclusion and alienation in the hospital environment. The men described qualities of the ideal father as one who was available, easily reached, accessible and considerate. Most men were willing to learn about their expected roles during childbirth and were eager to support their partners/wives/spouses during this time. However, they identified personal, relationship, family and community factors as barriers to their involvement. They found the health system unwelcoming, intimidating and unsupportive. Suggestions to improve men’s involvement include creating more awareness for fathers, male-targeted antenatal education and support, and changing provider attitudes.ConclusionsThis study generates information on perceived roles, expectations, experiences and challenges faced by men who wish to be involved in maternal health issues, particularly during pregnancy and childbirth. There is discord between the policy and practice on male involvement in pregnancy and childbirth. Health system factors that are critical to promoting male involvement in women’s health issues during pregnancy and childbirth need to be addressed.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Male involvement during pregnancy and childbirth: men’s perceptions, practices and experiences during the care for women who developed childbirth complications in Mulago Hospital, Uganda

Kaye

Kakaire

Nakimuli

et al. 2014

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth

151

179

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show abstract

“…Despite the evidence that PI during pregnancy is important, there is a dearth or knowledge which continues to hinder progress towards understanding the role of fathers during pregnancy and the subsequent development of appropriate measurements, of policies and of interventions to increase PI during pregnancy [13]. Given the lack of consensus among researchers about what it means to be an “involved father” and to identify the specific roles of a father during pregnancy, this study sought the perceptions of fathers and mothers themselves.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A community perspective on the role of fathers during pregnancy: a qualitative study

Alio

Lewis

Scarborough

et al. 2013

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth

168

166

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BackgroundDefining male involvement during pregnancy is essential for the development of future research and appropriate interventions to optimize services aiming to improve birth outcomes. Study Aim: To define male involvement during pregnancy and obtain community-based recommendations for interventions to improve male involvement during pregnancy.MethodsWe conducted focus groups with mothers and fathers from the National Healthy Start Association program in order to obtain detailed descriptions of male involvement activities, benefits, barriers, and proposed solutions for increasing male involvement during pregnancy. The majority of participants were African American parents.ResultsThe involved “male” was identified as either the biological father, or, the current male partner of the pregnant woman. Both men and women described the ideal, involved father or male partner as present, accessible, available, understanding, willing to learn about the pregnancy process and eager to provide emotional, physical and financial support to the woman carrying the child. Women emphasized a sense of “togetherness” during the pregnancy. Suggestions included creating male-targeted prenatal programs, enhancing current interventions targeting females, and increasing healthcare providers’ awareness of the importance of men’s involvement during pregnancy.ConclusionsIndividual, family, community, societal and policy factors play a role in barring or diminishing the involvement of fathers during pregnancy. Future research and interventions should target these factors and their interaction in order to increase fathers’ involvement and thereby improve pregnancy outcomes.

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“…Therefore, Ethiopian women's perception of their spouse's involvement in childbirth and childrearing should be strengthened in order to improve maternal and child health and well-being. According to Bond and his colleagues, paternal roles could be improved through research, policy, and practice [17]. With regard to practice, they suggest providing information on paternal involvement and simple counseling to husbands during antenatal visits, which can positively impact both women and their children.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

WomenÂ’s Perceptions about Pregnancy and Childbirth and Their Perceived Maternal and Newborn Health Problems in Tigray District, Ethiopia

Bang¹,

Lee²,

Chae³

et al. 2015

J Preg Child Health

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Improving research, policy and practice to promote paternal involvement in pregnancy outcomes: the roles of obstetricians–gynecologists

Abstract: Obstetricians-gynecologists can play a greater role in promoting research, policy and practice to improve paternal involvement in pregnancy and childbirth.

Cited by 14 publications

References 13 publications

Male involvement during pregnancy and childbirth: men’s perceptions, practices and experiences during the care for women who developed childbirth complications in Mulago Hospital, Uganda

Male involvement during pregnancy and childbirth: men’s perceptions, practices and experiences during the care for women who developed childbirth complications in Mulago Hospital, Uganda

A community perspective on the role of fathers during pregnancy: a qualitative study

WomenÂ’s Perceptions about Pregnancy and Childbirth and Their Perceived Maternal and Newborn Health Problems in Tigray District, Ethiopia

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