BACKGROUND: Mens'attendance with their pregnant partners at facility-based antenatal care (ANC) visits is important for maternal and child health and gender equality yet remains uncommon in parts of rural Tanzania. This study examined men's perspectives on attending ANC with their pregnant partners in Misungwi District, Tanzania. METHODS: Twelve individual interviews and five focus group discussions were conducted using semi-structured questionnaires with fathers, expectant fathers, and in-depth interviews were done to health providers, volunteer community health workers, and village leaders. Interviews were recorded and transcribed in Swahili and later translated to English. The research team conducted thematic analysis to identify common themes among interviews. RESULTS: We identified two broad themes on the barriers to male attendance at facility-based ANC visits: (1) Perceived exclusion during ANC visits among men (2) Traditional gender norms resulting to low attendance among men. CONCLUSION: Attendance at health facility for ANC visits by men with their pregnant partners in the study areas were challenged by structural and local cultural norms. At the facility men were uncomfortable to sit with women due to lack of specific waiting area for men and that they perceived to be neglected. Local cultural norms demanded women to have secrecy in pregnancy while men perceived not to have a role of being with their partners during ANC visits.
BACKGROUND: Mens'attendance with their pregnant partners at facility-based antenatal care (ANC) visits is important for maternal and child health and gender equality yet remains uncommon in parts of rural Tanzania. This study examined men's perspectives on attending ANC with their pregnant partners in Misungwi District, Tanzania. METHODS: Twelve individual interviews and five focus group discussions were conducted using semi-structured questionnaires with fathers, expectant fathers, and in-depth interviews were done to health providers, volunteer community health workers, and village leaders. Interviews were recorded and transcribed in Swahili and later translated to English. The research team conducted thematic analysis to identify common themes among interviews. RESULTS: We identified two broad themes on the barriers to male attendance at facility-based ANC visits: (1) Perceived exclusion during ANC visits among men (2) Traditional gender norms resulting to low attendance among men. CONCLUSION: Attendance at health facility for ANC visits by men with their pregnant partners in the study areas were challenged by structural and local cultural norms. At the facility men were uncomfortable to sit with women due to lack of specific waiting area for men and that they perceived to be neglected. Local cultural norms demanded women to have secrecy in pregnancy while men perceived not to have a role of being with their partners during ANC visits.
Entities:
Keywords:
Antenatal care; Male attendance; Pregnant partners; Rural-Tanzania
Authors: Raymond Tweheyo; Joseph Konde-Lule; Nazarius M Tumwesigye; Juliet N Sekandi Journal: BMC Pregnancy Childbirth Date: 2010-09-16 Impact factor: 3.007
Authors: John Ditekemena; Olivier Koole; Cyril Engmann; Richard Matendo; Antoinette Tshefu; Robert Ryder; Robert Colebunders Journal: Reprod Health Date: 2012-11-21 Impact factor: 3.223
Authors: Babacar Ndiaye; Louis Thiam; Gahee Ham; Yunsung Choi; Eunmi Lee; Kilho Kang; Youngran Yang Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-12-30 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Maendeleo Boniphace; Dismas Matovelo; Rose Laisser; Victoria Yohani; Hadija Swai; Leonard Subi; Zabroni Masatu; Sylvia Tinka; Hannah Faye G Mercader; Jennifer L Brenner; Jennifer L Mitchell Journal: BMC Pregnancy Childbirth Date: 2022-01-17 Impact factor: 3.007
Authors: Angella Musiimenta; Wilson Tumuhimbise; Esther C Atukunda; Aaron T Mugaba; Justus Asasira; Jane Katusiime; Raphael Zender; Niels Pinkwart; Godfrey Rwambuka Mugyenyi; Jessica E Haberer Journal: JAMIA Open Date: 2022-10-04