scholarly journals Male partner involvement in birth preparedness, complication readiness and obstetric emergencies in Sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Faye Forbes ◽  
Karen Wynter ◽  
Berihun M. Zeleke ◽  
Jane Fisher
Keyword(s):  
Scoping Review ◽  
Male Partner ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Birth Preparedness ◽  
Male Partners ◽  
Complication Readiness ◽  
Male Partner Involvement ◽  
Obstetric Emergencies ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Partner Involvement

Abstract Background Maternal mortality remains a pressing concern across Sub-Sahara Africa. The ‘Three Delays Model’ suggests that maternal deaths are a consequence of delays in: seeking care, reaching medical care and receiving care. Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness (BPCR) refers to a plan organised during pregnancy in preparation for a normal birth and in case of complications. Male partners in many Sub-Saharan African communities could play a pivotal role in a woman’s ability to prepare for birth and respond to obstetric complications. This review aimed identify: the extent and quality of research performed on the topic of male partner involvement in BPCR in Sub-Saharan Africa; the degree to which populations and geographic areas are represented; how male partner involvement has been conceptualized; how male partners response to obstetric complications has been conceptualised; how the variation in male partners involvement has been measured and if any interventions have been performed. Methods In this scoping review, articles were identified through a systematic search of databases MEDLINE, EMBASE and Maternity and Infant Care and a manual scan of relevant papers, journals and websites. All authors contributed to the screening process and a quality assessment using the Kmet checklist. The PRISMA checking list for Scoping Reviews was used to guide the search, data charting and reporting of the review The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (ID: CRD42019126263). Results Thirty-five articles met inclusion criteria, reporting: 13 qualitative, 13 cross-sectional, 5 mixed method and 4 intervention studies. Data were contributed by approximately 14,550 participants (numbers were not always reported for focus groups) including: women who were pregnant or who had experienced pregnancy or childbirth within the previous 3 years, their male partners and key informants such as health workers and community leaders. Conclusions The diversity of study designs, aims and source countries in this body of literature reflects an emerging stage of research; as a result, the review yielded strong evidence in some areas and gaps in others. Male partner’s involvement in BPCR and responding to obstetric emergencies can be conceptualised as being centrally involved in responding to complications and having some role in preparing for birth through their position in the chain of decisions and provision of logistic support. However, their knowledge of pregnancy complications and level of preparation for birth is low, suggesting they are making decisions without being fully informed. There is limited evidence on interventions to improve their knowledge. Future research efforts should be focused on producing standardised, culturally appropriate, higher level evidence.

scholarly journals The impact of approaches in improving male partner involvement in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV on the uptake of maternal antiretroviral therapy among HIV-seropositive pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. e018207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noah F Takah ◽  
Iain T R Kennedy ◽  
Cathy Johnman
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Male Partner ◽  
Psychosocial Interventions ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Male Partner Involvement ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Partner Involvement ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Mother To Child

ObjectivesTo identify the approaches that are used in improving on male partner involvement in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV and their impact on the uptake maternal antiretroviral therapy (ART) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).SettingThis was a systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies carried out in SSA at all levels of healthcare (primary, secondary, tertiary and community).ParticipantsThe participants of the studies included were HIV-positive pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers with their male partners. Studies were included if they were conducted in SSA and mentioned an approach used in improving male partner involvement with data on the impact on the uptake of maternal ART uptake.OutcomesIn the protocol, maternal ART uptake, infant prophylaxis, safe infant feeding options, condom use and family planning were envisaged. However, only maternal ART has been reported here due to limitations on the word count.ResultsFrom an initial 2316 non-duplicate articles, 17 articles were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. In the combined model, the ORs for complex community interventions, enhanced psychosocial interventions, verbal encouragement and invitation letters were 4.22 (95% CI 2.27 to 7.77), 2.29 (95% CI 1.42 to 7.69), 2.39 (95% CI 1.26 to 4.53) and 1.21 (95% CI 0.89 to 1.63), respectively, whereas in the model using adjusted ORs, enhanced psychosocial interventions had a higher effect than any other intervention. The heterogeneity was moderate using adjusted ORs.ConclusionEnhanced psychosocial interventions and complex community interventions increase male partner involvement and the uptake of PMTCT services more than any other intervention. Invitation letters had no effect. More randomised trials and observational studies (that have adjusted for potential confounders) are needed in the future.PROSPERO registration number42016032673.

scholarly journals Involvement of Male Partners in Skilled Birth Care in the North Dayi District, Ghana

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Farrukh Ishaque Saah ◽  
Elvis Enowbeyang Tarkang ◽  
Joyce Komesuor ◽  
Eric Osei ◽  
Evelyn Acquah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Facility ◽  
Maternal Mortality Ratio ◽  
Male Partner ◽  
Male Involvement ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Male Partners ◽  
Birth Process ◽  
Male Partner Involvement ◽  
The North ◽  
Partner Involvement

Background. With more than half of the global maternal deaths occurring in sub-Saharan Africa, skilled attendance during childbirth is essential in achieving safer births and lower maternal mortalities. Given that societal ascriptions of gender roles strongly influence the utilisation of skilled care by women, male partner involvement in skilled birth is essential. We explored male partner involvement in skilled birth at the North Dayi District of Ghana. Methods. This qualitative study interviewed 14 mothers and their male partners, together with two health professionals. The participants were purposively recruited using in-depth interviews. Data collected were analysed manually, but thematically. Result. Male partners had inadequate knowledge of childbirth and the skilled birth process as well as possible complications arising during delivery. Even though the male partners demonstrated positive perception towards skilled birth and their involvement in the process, their actual involvement in skilled birth care was generally low. Factors which inhibited most of the male partners from getting involved in skilled birth care were health facility nonconduciveness and occupation. However, motivations to do so were marital commitment and sense of responsibility, past experience, nearness to health facility, and safety and survival of partner and baby. Conclusion. These findings imply that Ghana may not be able to meet the Sustainable Development Goal Three target of reducing its maternal mortality ratio from 216 to below 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030. Stakeholders in Ghana’s health industry need to develop male accommodating skilled birth policies and approaches to promote male involvement in skilled birth care.

scholarly journals The involvement of male partners in care: socio determinants of health among women in Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission in Malawi

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isotta Triulzi ◽  
Olivia Keiser ◽  
Claire Somerville ◽  
Sangwani Salimu ◽  
Fausto Ciccacci ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Male Partner ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Mother To Child Transmission ◽  
Male Partners ◽  
Child Transmission ◽  
Hiv Knowledge ◽  
Male Partner Involvement ◽  
Attitude And Practice ◽  
Partner Involvement ◽  
Mother To Child

AbstractIntroductionMale partners are rarely present during PMTCT (Prevention-Mother-To-Child-Transmission) services in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The involvement of men is increasingly recognised as an important element of women’s access to care. The study aims to identify the socio-demographic characteristics, HIV-Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) among women accompanied and not accompanied by the male partners to the facilities.MethodWe included pregnant women enrolled in PMTCT programme between August 2018 and November 2019 in the Southern Region of Malawi. Eligible women were aged 18 years or older, lived with a male partner, enrolled for the first time in four DREAM facilities. We provided a KAP survey to women and their partners attending the facilities. Our primary outcome was to assess and analyse the proportion of women who were accompanied by their partner at least once. We applied descriptive statistics, and logistic regressions to study the association between being accompanied and explanatory variables.ResultsWe enrolled 128 HIV-positive women : 82 (64.1%) were accompanied by their male partners and 46 (35.9%) were alone. Women with high level of knowledge on HIV/AIDS are more likely to be accompanied by the male partners (53.7% vs 34.8%,p=0.040). Level of attitude and practice were not different between women accompanied or not. Patients owning a mean of transport were more likely to go alone to facility (OR 4.16, 95% CI 1.02-16.94). Women who travelled more than 90 minutes to get to the facilities (OR 0.10, 95% CI 0.02-0.49) with high HIV-knowledge (OR 0.38, 95% CI 0.16-0.91) are more likely to be accompanied.ConclusionOur study showed a good male partner involvement compared to other studies performed in SSA. To our knowledge this is the first study outlining the relationship between male partner involvement in care with socio determinant of health. This is crucial to design and implement effective interventions.

scholarly journals The Involvement of Male Partners in Care: Socio Determinants of Health Among Women in Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission Program in Malawi

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isotta Triulzi ◽  
Olivia Keiser ◽  
Claire Somerville ◽  
Sangwani Salimu ◽  
Fausto Ciccacci ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Male Partner ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Mother To Child Transmission ◽  
Male Partners ◽  
Child Transmission ◽  
Hiv Knowledge ◽  
Male Partner Involvement ◽  
Attitude And Practice ◽  
Partner Involvement ◽  
Mother To Child

Abstract Background Male partners are rarely present during PMTCT (Prevention-Mother-To-Child-Transmission) services in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The involvement of men is increasingly recognised as an important element of women’s access to care. The study aims to identify the socio-demographic characteristics, HIV-Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) among women accompanied and not accompanied by the male partners to the facilities. Methods We included pregnant women enrolled in PMTCT programme between August 2018 and November 2019 in the Southern Region of Malawi. Eligible women were aged 18 years or older, lived with a male partner, enrolled for the first time in four DREAM facilities. We provided a KAP survey to women and their partners attending the facilities. Our primary outcome was to assess and analyse the proportion of women who were accompanied by their partner at least once. We applied descriptive statistics, and logistic regressions to study the association between being accompanied and explanatory variables. Results We enrolled 128 HIV-positive women: 82 (64.1%) were accompanied by their male partners and 46 (35.9%) were alone. Women with high level of knowledge on HIV/AIDS are more likely to be accompanied by the male partners (53.7% vs 34.8%, p = 0.040). Level of attitude and practice were not different between women accompanied or not. Patients owning a mean of transport were more likely to go alone to facility (OR 4.16, 95% CI 1.02–16.94). Women who travelled more than 90 minutes to get to the facilities (OR 0.10, 95% CI 0.02–0.49) with high HIV-knowledge (OR 0.38, 95% CI 0.16–0.91) are more likely to be accompanied. Conclusions Our study showed a good male partner involvement compared to other studies performed in SSA. To our knowledge this is the first study showing that women’s knowledge on HIV and healthcare system inequality as geographical accessibility, social class, gender norms and masculinity play a key role on male partner involvement. Therefore, considering the socio determinant of health is crucial to improve the health of all the family.

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