Cephas Sialubanje1, Karlijn Massar2, Elisa M Kirch3, Marit S G van der Pijl3, Davidson H Hamer4, Robert A C Ruiter2. 1. Ministry of Health, Monze District Medical Office, Monze, Zambia; Maastricht University, Department of Work and Social Psychology, Maastricht, Netherlands. Electronic address: cephas.sialubanje@maastrichtuniversity.nl. 2. Maastricht University, Department of Work and Social Psychology, Maastricht, Netherlands. 3. Maastricht University, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Science, Department of Global Health, Maastricht, Netherlands. 4. Zambia Centre for Applied Health Research and Development, Lusaka, Zambia; Centre for Global Health and Development, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To explore men's experience and beliefs regarding the use of maternity waiting homes (MWHs) in Kalomo District, Zambia. METHODS: As part of a qualitative study, in-depth interviews with the husbands/partners of women attending the under-five clinic at a health center with a MWH were conducted between April 1 and May 31, 2014. Men aged 18-50 years whose partner/wife was of reproductive age and who had lived in the area for more than 6 months were eligible for inclusion. RESULTS: Overall, 24 husbands/partners were interviewed in seven rural health centers. Men perceived many potential benefits of MWHs, including improved access to facility-based skilled delivery services and treatment in case of labor complications. Their many roles included decision making and securing funds for transport, food, cleaning materials, and clothes for the mother and the neonate to use during and after labor. However, limited financial resources made it difficult for them to provide for their wives and newborns, and usually led to delays in their decisions about MWH use. Poor conditions in MWHs and the lack of basic social and healthcare needs meant some men had forbidden their wives/partners from using the facilities. CONCLUSION: Important intervention targets for improving access to MWHs and skilled birth attendance have been identified.
OBJECTIVE: To explore men's experience and beliefs regarding the use of maternity waiting homes (MWHs) in Kalomo District, Zambia. METHODS: As part of a qualitative study, in-depth interviews with the husbands/partners of women attending the under-five clinic at a health center with a MWH were conducted between April 1 and May 31, 2014. Men aged 18-50 years whose partner/wife was of reproductive age and who had lived in the area for more than 6 months were eligible for inclusion. RESULTS: Overall, 24 husbands/partners were interviewed in seven rural health centers. Men perceived many potential benefits of MWHs, including improved access to facility-based skilled delivery services and treatment in case of labor complications. Their many roles included decision making and securing funds for transport, food, cleaning materials, and clothes for the mother and the neonate to use during and after labor. However, limited financial resources made it difficult for them to provide for their wives and newborns, and usually led to delays in their decisions about MWH use. Poor conditions in MWHs and the lack of basic social and healthcare needs meant some men had forbidden their wives/partners from using the facilities. CONCLUSION: Important intervention targets for improving access to MWHs and skilled birth attendance have been identified.
Authors: Cephas Sialubanje; Karlijn Massar; Larah Horstkotte; Davidson H Hamer; Robert A C Ruiter Journal: Reprod Health Date: 2017-07-10 Impact factor: 3.223
Authors: Elizabeth G Henry; Katherine Semrau; Davidson H Hamer; Taryn Vian; Mary Nambao; Kaluba Mataka; Nancy A Scott Journal: Reprod Health Date: 2017-05-30 Impact factor: 3.223
Authors: Anne K Erickson; Safa Abdalla; Alice Serenska; Bete Demeke; Gary L Darmstadt Journal: BMC Pregnancy Childbirth Date: 2021-07-03 Impact factor: 3.007
Authors: Nancy A Scott; Taryn Vian; Jeanette L Kaiser; Thandiwe Ngoma; Kaluba Mataka; Elizabeth G Henry; Godfrey Biemba; Mary Nambao; Davidson H Hamer Journal: PLoS One Date: 2018-03-15 Impact factor: 3.240