Male partners’ views of involvement in maternal healthcare services at Makhado Municipality clinics, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Abstract

BackgroundMale partners have a strong influence on pregnant partners’ health and their access to care. Their involvement is critical in the delivery and uptake of maternal healthcare services and improving maternal and child health outcomes.AimThe study sought to determine male partners’ views on their involvement in maternal healthcare services.SettingThe Makhado Municipality’s Kutama, Madombidzha and Vleifontein clinics.MethodsA qualitative study design, which is exploratory, descriptive and contextual in nature, was used. The population comprised 15 men whose partners had been pregnant within the last 2 years. A non-probability, purposive sampling procedure was used. Data were collected via in-depth individual interviews using a voice recorder and an interview schedule guide. Tesch’s open coding method was used to analyse data.ResultsThe findings revealed one major theme, namely that maternal health issues are viewed as a woman’sdomain; and three sub-themes: culture and participation in childbirth, male partners’ employment status, and male partners’ unwillingness to participate in maternal health issues.ConclusionsThe involvement of male partners in maternal healthcare services, and further research in promoting this activity, should be proposedto policymakers.

Experiences, views and needs of first-time fathers in pregnancy-related care: a qualitative study in south-East Nigeria

“…Engaging fathers in pregnancy-related care is highly crucial now because they can play a central role that can significantly improve final birth outcomes [2][3][4]. A growing body of literature promoting the involvement of firsttime fathers in maternal care have reported improvements in the utilisation of health services during pregnancy, optimal antenatal care attendance, birth preparedness and improved maternal health outcomes [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14]. First-time fathers have an important role in providing support for their spouses which creates an all-round sense of security necessary for a successful pregnancy and childbirth experience [15].…”

“…First-time fathers have an important role in providing support for their spouses which creates an all-round sense of security necessary for a successful pregnancy and childbirth experience [15]. Their participation and engagement have been associated with lowered maternal stress levels, lowered occurrences of antenatal and postpartum depression, increased utilisation of maternal health services, readiness for birth complications and positive birth outcomes [10,12,14,16,17]. First-time fathers are natural providers, who can ensure that the appropriate nutritional and health needs of their spouses are met during pregnancy [7].…”

Experiences, views and needs of first-time fathers in pregnancy related care: a qualitative study in south-east Nigeria.

“…Engaging fathers in pregnancy-related care is highly crucial now because they can play a central role that can significantly improve final birth outcomes (2)(3)(4). A growing body of literature promoting the involvement of first-time fathers in maternal care have reported improvements in the utilisation of health services during pregnancy, optimal antenatal care attendance, birth preparedness and improved maternal health outcomes (5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14). First-time fathers have an important role in providing support for their spouses which creates an all-round sense of security necessary for a successful pregnancy and childbirth experience (15).…”

“…First-time fathers have an important role in providing support for their spouses which creates an all-round sense of security necessary for a successful pregnancy and childbirth experience (15). Their participation and engagement have been associated with lowered maternal stress levels, lowered occurrences of antenatal and postpartum depression, increased 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 utilisation of maternal health services, readiness for birth complications and positive birth outcomes (10,12,14,16,17). First-time fathers are natural providers, who can ensure that the appropriate nutritional and health needs of their spouses are met during pregnancy (7).…”

Experiences, views and needs of first-time fathers in pregnancy related care: a qualitative study in south-east Nigeria.

“…First-time fathers have an important role in providing support for their spouses which creates an all-round sense of security necessary for a successful pregnancy and childbirth experience (15). Their participation and engagement have been associated with lowered maternal stress levels, lowered occurrences of antenatal and postpartum depression, increased utilisation of maternal health services, readiness for birth complications and positive birth outcomes (10,12,14,16,17). First-time fathers are natural providers, who can ensure that the appropriate nutritional and health needs of their spouses are met during pregnancy (7).…”