Male involvement in reproductive health services: a case of Sumbawanga district, Tanzania
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Date
2019
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
University of Dar es salaam
Abstract
Employing a case study design, in which both qualitative and quantitative approaches were used, this study investigated males involvement in reproductive health services, in Sumbawanga District, Tanzania by a) exploring the perceptions of men and women on males’ involvement in reproductive health services) identifying the factors hindering male involvement in reproductive health services; and c) establishing appropriate strategies for promoting male involvement in reproductive health services. The sample of the study population consisted of 114respondents; including four Social Welfare Officers from the District Headquarters, 10 health care providers from Ward’s Health Centres, and 100 married partners from five participating Wards in the district. The data were obtained through interviews, focus groups, questionnaires, and documentary reviews. The obtained data were then analysed qualitatively based on the patterns and themes of the study and quantitatively through descriptive statistics. The findings show that92% of the respondents aged 20 to 40 years believed it was important and beneficial for male partners to participate in reproductive health services as resourceful individuals and key determinants of a good health system. However, 8% of respondents above the age of 41 years perceived male involvement in reproductive health services as not important. The data also revealed that 75% of respondents understand male involvement as deciding on the number of children to have, while 15% as couple discussion on issues related to reproductive health, and 10% as accompanying their partners in accessing reproductive health services. When comes to factors hindering males involvement in reproductive health services, negative attitude was the most prominent factor reported by 43%of respondents, cultural beliefs supported by 15%, traditional modes of services delivery supported by 11%, low knowledge supported by10% of respondents, religious beliefs supported by 9%, poor quality of service delivery supported 7%, and finally, 5% supported poor health facilities` infrastructures. In the light of the findings, 74% of respondents suggested the need for promoting sensitisation programs and activities on the roles of males in reproductive health services as the best intervention. Also, 14% of the respondents suggested formulation of policy that encourages male involvement, and 12% preferred improving accessibility to comprehensive reproductive health services in public health facilities as strategies towards promoting males’ involvement in reproductive health. Moreover, the study recommends the need for a government to ensure accessibility of enhanced comprehensive reproductive health services and formulating a gender sensitive reproductive policy covering the needs of men and women as well as investing adequate funds and resources for promoting programs and activities in the community and at the national level. Finally, the study suggests the need for a similar comprehensive study be conducted to analyse and measure whether the existing reproductive health policy in Tanzania is gender sensitive, effective, and realistic enough to promote males’ involvement in reproductive health services.
Description
Available in print form, East Africana collection, Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library, class mark (THS EAF QP251.5T34M582)
Keywords
Reproductive health, Human reproduction, Sumbawanga District, Tanzania
Citation
Mnubi, Luckness Chiragwile (2019) Male involvement in reproductive health services: a case of Sumbawanga district, Tanzania, Masters dissertation, University of Dar es salaam