The Role of Men During Pregnancy: A Cross-Sectional Study of Perceptions and Beliefs of Primary Caregivers in Tanzania

Niedfeldt, Heidi Jane; Sever, Trent; Smith, Rilee L; Davis, Elizabeth A.; Mulokozi, Generose; Torres, Scott; Linehan, Mary; Dobies, Kerry Ann; Hoj, Taylor H; West, Joshua H.; Hall, P. Cougar; Crookston, Benjamin T.

doi:10.1177/0192513x21993189

Cited by 4 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 39 publications

(35 reference statements)

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“…Also, it may signify an alignment with progressive societal values that recognize and encourage men's active roles in reproductive health, thereby fostering a culture of inclusive and collaborative pregnancy care practices. Although this study found that most of the study participants expressed positive attitudes towards supportive behaviors, perceived challenges to active involvement included traditional gender norms, social stigma, ridicule, unconducive health facility environment and exclusion of men from maternity care activities in agreement with evidence from earlier investigations ( 5 , 11 , 20 , 31 , 33 , 34 , 39 – 42 ).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

Prevalence and predictors of men's involvement in pregnancy care in Modakeke, Southwest Nigeria

Akinyemi,

Ibrahim

2024

Front. Glob. Womens Health

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IntroductionMaternal mortality in developing countries remains a major public health concern and lack of men's support for their spouse during pregnancy contributes to this adverse outcome. This study examined the level and determinants of men's involvement in pregnancy care in Modakeke, Southwest Nigeria.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional, mixed-methods study involving quantitative and qualitative data. A multistage sampling strategy was used to select the study participants. The study involved 414 male respondents interviewed using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. The interview was complemented with one focus group discussion facilitated using an unstructured interview guide. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential analytical techniques while qualitative data were explored using thematic content analysis.ResultsFindings revealed a 55% level of involvement in pregnancy care among the participants. However, involvement rates were higher among those who were younger, married, from monogamous family, with secondary or tertiary education, low-income earners, and holding positive perception about nontraditional gender roles. Multivariate logistic regression estimates indicated significantly lower odds of involvement among unmarried men than the married but increased odds among those who had secondary or higher education relative to the uneducated, and among those whose partners received antenatal care from multiple providers compared to from health facilities only. Furthermore, significantly reduced odds of involvement were associated with holding nonpositive perceptions towards accompanying spouse to antenatal care clinic and being involved in general pregnancy care as opposed to holding positive perception. Perceived challenges undermining male involvement as highlighted during focus group discussion include time constraints due to job demands, prohibitive sociocultural norms, rebuke and unconducive health facility environment.ConclusionThe level of involvement in pregnancy care is suboptimal among the study participants with considerable sociodemographic, socioeconomic and sociocultural dimensions. Enhancing men's involvement in pregnancy care requires community-based awareness-raising interventions that emphasize crosscutting benefits of male partner's participation in pregnancy-related care and address known sociocultural barriers impeding active involvement.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

Prevalence and predictors of men's involvement in pregnancy care in Modakeke, Southwest Nigeria

Akinyemi,

Ibrahim

2024

Front. Glob. Womens Health

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“…Several studies showed a strong association between male partner involvement and ANC service uptake. 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 (Supporting Information S1: Table 2 Supporting Information) For example, women receiving financial support from their male partner were more likely to use ANC than those who did not. 47 Women whose male partners expressed positive attitudes or acceptance/approval towards ANC were 3.5−9 times more likely to utilize ANC 49 , 50 , 51 and more likely to complete four ANC visits 52 , 53 , 62 compared to women whose partners perceived ANC negatively.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of male partners' involvement and support on reproductive, maternal and child health and well‐being in East Africa: A scoping review

Fletcher,

Forbes,

Dadi

et al. 2024

Health Science Reports

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Background and AimsEast African countries have high rates of maternal and child mortality and morbidity. Studies have shown that the involvement of male partners in reproductive health can benefit maternal and child health (MCH). This scoping review aims to provide an overview of the evidence across East Africa that describes male partner involvement and its effect on maternal, reproductive, and child well‐being.MethodsTen databases were searched to identify quantitative data on male's involvement in East Africa. Studies reporting qualitative data, “intention to use” data or only reporting on male partner's education or economic status were excluded. Studies were organized into five a priori categories: antenatal care (ANC), human immunodeficiency virus, breastfeeding, family planning, and intimate partner violence with further categories developed based on studies included.ResultsA total of 2787 records were identified; 644 full texts were reviewed, and 96 studies were included in this review. Data were reported on 118,967 mothers/pregnant women and 15,361 male partners. Most of the studies (n = 83) were reported from four countries Ethiopia (n = 49), Kenya (n = 14), Tanzania (n = 12) and Uganda (n = 10). The evidence indicates that male partner involvement and support is associated with improved reproductive, MCH across a wide range of outcomes. However, the studies were heterogeneous, using diverse exposure and outcome measures. Also, male partners' lack of practical and emotional support, and engagement in violent behaviors towards partners, were associated with profound negative impacts on MCH and well‐being.ConclusionsThe body of evidence, although heterogeneous, provides compelling support for male involvement in reproductive health programs designed to support MCH. To advance research in this field, an agreement is needed on a measure of male partner “involvement.” To optimize benefits of male partners' involvement, developing core outcome sets and regional coordination are recommended.

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“…Another study in Kenya reported non-utilisation of ANC services because of drunkenness among men (Lusambili et al, 2021). Therefore, positive support from male partners enhances the chances of utilisation of maternity health services by women (Niedfeldt et al, 2022). Social support during pregnancy (Daniele, 2021) has been a recent topic in studies regarding the participation of women in ANC.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Views of Men Regarding Not Availing Antenatal Care for Their Pregnant Partners in West Bengal

Das

2023

Journal of the Anthropological Survey of India

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Antenatal care (ANC) is essential for the health of both the mother and the baby. Though females are the direct receivers of this care, yet the understanding of their husbands is crucial in determining the pregnant women’s access to ANC. NFHS–5 ( National Family Health Survey, 2019–2020 ) has reported that about 5.6% of women in West Bengal aged 15–49 who had a live birth in the five years preceding the survey had no ANC visit during their pregnancy. In this study, both qualitative and quantitative techniques have been used to understand the views of men whose female partners did not receive any ANC during their pregnancy in West Bengal. Data collection has been done from 130 respondents using a structured questionnaire, and then, statistical analysis has been performed using SPSS. Qualitative data have been collected from nine selected participants through telephonic interview. The result is that men’s views for their pregnant partners not availing ANC are influenced by the place of residence, educational qualification and number of children (statistically significant at p value < .05). However, lack of awareness, financial constraint, poor spousal relationship and inaccessibility to the maternity clinics are a few important reasons that have been focused in this study.

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The Role of Men During Pregnancy: A Cross-Sectional Study of Perceptions and Beliefs of Primary Caregivers in Tanzania

Cited by 4 publications

References 39 publications

Prevalence and predictors of men's involvement in pregnancy care in Modakeke, Southwest Nigeria

Prevalence and predictors of men's involvement in pregnancy care in Modakeke, Southwest Nigeria

Effect of male partners' involvement and support on reproductive, maternal and child health and well‐being in East Africa: A scoping review

Views of Men Regarding Not Availing Antenatal Care for Their Pregnant Partners in West Bengal

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