Striving to promote male involvement in maternal health care in rural and urban settings in Malawi - a qualitative study

Kululanga, Lucy Ida; Sundby, Johanne; Malata, Address; Chirwa, Ellen

doi:10.1186/1742-4755-8-36

Cited by 189 publications

(261 citation statements)

References 24 publications

(27 reference statements)

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“…For example, women who do not come with their partners could be given services and requested to come with their partner during the following visit. In Malawi, while an HIV test was part of the routine ANC, when a woman started ANC attendance she was requested to come with her husband during the next visit [33]. In Tanzania, coaching of pregnant women on how to invite their partners, followed by written invitations, increased the number of women who attended ANC with their partners [26].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In Tanzania, coaching of pregnant women on how to invite their partners, followed by written invitations, increased the number of women who attended ANC with their partners [26]. Invitation letters have been widely used to promote male participation in PMTCT in various settings [26,33–36]. Invitations should highlight the importance of ANC visits for men.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A similar strategy was reported in Malawi and Kenya. For example, in Malawi, women who attended ANC clinics together with their husbands were given priority in receiving health services [33,37]. In Kenya, health service providers promoted male involvement in ANC through fast-tracking men attending with their partners and giving a free shawl for their child [38].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Providing favours for couples who attend ANC together can result in stigmatisation of women who do not have steady partners and husbands [33]. Furthermore, this requirement might pose a challenge to women’s autonomy in cases when women might have a male partner but for diverse reasons, such as intimate partner violence or controlling behaviour, might not want him to be involved.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Education interventions which have targeted women and men have been reported to increase knowledge and health-seeking behaviour and to raise awareness on issues related to maternal and child health [39–42]. The main challenge is that, most often, sensitisation campaigns are short-lived and may not produce long-term sustainable behaviour change [33]. In addition, community mobilisation campaigns require a massive mobilisation of human and financial resources, which may not always be available.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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‘Unless you come with your partner you will be sent back home’: strategies used to promote male involvement in antenatal care in Southern Tanzania

Peneza¹,

Maluka

2018

Global Health Action

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Background: Male involvement in pregnancy and childbirth has been shown to improve maternal and child health. Many countries have used different strategies to promote participation of men in antenatal care services. While many strategies have been employed to promote male participation in antenatal care, few have been evaluated to provide much-needed lessons to support wider adoption. Objective: This study aimed at describing strategies that were used by health providers and the community to promote male participation in antenatal care services and challenges associated with the implementation of these interventions in Southern Tanzania. Methods: We used qualitative data and analytical methods to answer the research questions. The study relied on semi-structured interviews with health providers, men and women, village and community leaders and traditional birth attendants. Data were analysed using a thematic approach. Results: The findings of this study revealed that different strategies were employed by health providers and the community in promoting participation of men in antenatal care services. These strategies included: health providers denying services to women attending antenatal care without their partners, fast-tracking service to men attending antenatal care with their partners, and providing education and community sensitisation. The implementation of these strategies was reported to have both positive and unintended consequences. Conclusions: This study concludes that despite the importance of male involvement in pregnancy and childbirth-related services, the use and promotion of the male escort policy should not inadvertently affect access to antenatal care services by pregnant women. In addition, programmes aiming for men’s involvement should be implemented in ways that respect, promote and facilitate women’s choices and autonomy and ensure their safety. Furthermore, there is a need for sensitisation of health providers and policymakers on what works best for involving men in pregnancy and childbirth.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

‘Unless you come with your partner you will be sent back home’: strategies used to promote male involvement in antenatal care in Southern Tanzania

Peneza¹,

Maluka

2018

Global Health Action

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Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting

Berg

2019

The Encyclopedia of Women and Crime

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translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. Regarding these commercial rights a non-exclusive license has been granted to the publisher. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher, the authors, and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, expressed or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. The publisher remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

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Promoting male participation in maternal healthcare in the Jaman North District in Ghana: Strategies and implementation challenges

Gyan

Dugle

Abiiro

2022

Health Planning & Management

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Promoting male participation in maternal healthcare is essential for improved maternal health outcomes. This study explored existing strategies to promote male participation in maternal healthcare and assessed their implementation challenges within healthcare facilities in the Jaman North District in Ghana. A qualitative approach was implemented in April 2020. Interviews were administered to a stratified purposive sample of 18 respondents comprising six midwives and 12 male partners of postnatal mothers. All interviews were audio‐recorded, transcribed, and manually analysed using thematic analysis. The findings revealed early service, male partner invitation, male partner incentivisation, public sensitization, and male informed education, as strategies to promote male participation in the district. The implementation of these strategies has been constrained by socio‐cultural and health system factors, namely, perception of pregnancy as non‐illness, perceived experiences gained by women during previous births, cultural stereotypes, unconducive environment of healthcare facilities, inappropriate timing of facility attendance and unexpected costs associated with male participation. Promoting male participation, therefore, requires dedicated policy attention to the existing socio‐cultural and health system constraints. The Ghana Health Service and other stakeholders should consider both community‐level and targeted sensitization on the benefits of male participation in maternal healthcare and a general improvement in maternal healthcare infrastructure.

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Striving to promote male involvement in maternal health care in rural and urban settings in Malawi - a qualitative study

Cited by 189 publications

References 24 publications

‘Unless you come with your partner you will be sent back home’: strategies used to promote male involvement in antenatal care in Southern Tanzania

‘Unless you come with your partner you will be sent back home’: strategies used to promote male involvement in antenatal care in Southern Tanzania

Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting

Promoting male participation in maternal healthcare in the Jaman North District in Ghana: Strategies and implementation challenges

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