Peneza Apollonia Kasege, Maluka Stephen Oswald
a Masasi Town Council , Masasi , Tanzania.
b Institute of Development Studies , University of Dar es Salaam , Dar es Salaam , Tanzania.
Glob Health Action. 2018;11(1):1449724. doi: 10.1080/16549716.2018.1449724.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
男性参与妊娠和分娩已被证明可改善母婴健康。许多国家采用了不同策略来促进男性参与产前保健服务。虽然已采用多种策略来促进男性参与产前保健，但很少有策略经过评估以提供支持更广泛采用所需的经验教训。
本研究旨在描述卫生服务提供者和社区为促进男性参与坦桑尼亚南部产前保健服务所采用的策略，以及实施这些干预措施所面临的挑战。
我们使用定性数据和分析方法来回答研究问题。该研究依靠对卫生服务提供者、男性和女性、村庄和社区领导人以及传统助产士进行半结构化访谈。使用主题分析法对数据进行分析。
本研究结果显示，卫生服务提供者和社区采用了不同策略来促进男性参与产前保健服务。这些策略包括：卫生服务提供者拒绝为未带伴侣前来接受产前保健的女性提供服务，为带伴侣前来接受产前保健的男性加快服务流程，以及开展教育和社区宣传。据报告，这些策略的实施既有积极影响，也有意外后果。
本研究得出结论，尽管男性参与与妊娠和分娩相关服务很重要，但男性陪产政策的使用和推广不应在无意中影响孕妇获得产前保健服务的机会。此外，旨在让男性参与的项目应以尊重、促进和便利女性选择与自主权并确保其安全的方式实施。此外，有必要让卫生服务提供者和政策制定者了解在让男性参与妊娠和分娩方面最有效的方法。
