Leaving no one behind: using action research to promote male involvement in maternal and child health in Iringa region, Tanzania
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Date
2020-10-02
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Abstract
Introduction Male involvement has been reported to
improve maternal and child health (MCH) outcomes.
However, most studies in low-income
and middle-income
countries have reported low participation of men in MCH-related
programmes. While there is a growing interest in
the involvement of men in MCH, little is known on how
male involvement can be effectively promoted in settings
where entrenched unequal gender roles, norms and
relations constrain women from effectively inviting men to
participate in MCH.
Methods and analysis This paper reports participatory
action research (PAR) aimed to promote male participation
in pregnancy and childbirth in Iringa Region, Tanzania.
As part of the Innovating for Maternal and Child Health in
Africa project, PAR was conducted in 20 villages in two
rural districts in Tanzania. Men and women were engaged
separately to identify barriers to male involvement
in antenatal care and during delivery; and then they
were facilitated to design strategies to promote male
participation in their communities. Along with the PAR
intervention, researchers undertook a series of research
activities. A thematic analysis was used to analyse the
data. The common strategies designed were: engaging
health facility committees; using male champions and
male gatekeepers; and using female champions to
sensitise and provide health education to women. These
strategies were validated during stakeholders’ meetings,
which were convened in each community.
Discussion The use of participatory approach not only
empowers communities to diagnose barriers to male
involvement and develop culturally acceptable strategies
but also increases sustainability of the interventions
beyond the life span of the project. More lessons will be
identified during the implementation of these strategies.
Description
Keywords
Male involvement, Action Research, Tanzania