Perceptions and experiences of young pregnant women aged 15-19 years on male involvment at antenatal clinics of Mwense District, Luapula, Zambia
Date
2017
Authors
Mwape, Kapenda Wilson
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The University of Zambia
Abstract
Male involvement in antenatal care clinic is defined as the male partners’ active participation in
attending antenatal services. Men serve as gatekeepers to women’s access to reproductive health
services. Male participation in antenatal care and HIV testing helps to decrease infant HIV
infection and increases HIV free survival in children. However, male involvement has been low
in Zambia, especially among partners of young pregnant women. The study aim was to
determine the perceptions and experiences of young pregnant women on male involvement at
antenatal care clinics and to assess their acceptability of male involvement at ANC.
The study was conducted in Mwense District of Luapula province. Phenomenological design and
purposive sampling were used. Three focus group discussions and thirty in-depth interviews
were conducted. Thematic analysis was used. Analysis of data was done manually. Themes were
deductively coded from the interview guides, theoretic framework and objectives of the study.
Other themes were processed inductively from the data transcriptions. Triangulation involved
assessing the data for consistency and potential variations of findings.
Generally, young pregnant women perceived male involvement at antenatal care clinics as a
good programme. Male involvement was highly acceptable but with low utilization. It was
perceived to help couples prepare for delivery, increase love and care, and learn more about HIV.
Male involvement was considered helpful for a healthy pregnancy and safe delivery. The
participants felt the need for programme continuity. Male-friendly antenatal care services should
be developed. The young women’s experiences of male involvement were mixed, ranging from a
better and quick service if accompanied, to being scolded and delay in being attended to if they
were not accompanied by a partner.
Male involvement left young pregnant women with both negative and positive experiences. The
negative experiences made them to have bad perceptions while positive experiences helped the
young pregnant women appreciate the programme as being to their benefit hence the desire to
have it continue. Community-based programs that would promote male involvement and
minimise associated stigma need to be initiated. Male targeted programmes that encourage men
to attend antenatal care clinics should be considered. Future studies on views of men with young
pregnant partners and their perception on male involvement are recommended. This would aid
formulation of targeted interventions for the programme.
Description
Thesis
Keywords
Antenatal--Male participation--Zambia