The Role of Men During Pregnancy

A Cross-Sectional Study of Perceptions and Beliefs of Primary Caregivers in Tanzania

Bibliographic Data

ID2348383
AuthorsHeidi J Niedfeldt (0000-0001-5096-7824, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA), Trent E Sever (Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA), Trent Sever (Brigham Young University), Rilee Smith (Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA), Elizabeth A Davis (0000-0002-4984-0209, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA), Generose Mulokozi (IMA World Health, Dar es Salaam, Kagera, Tanzania), Scott Torres (0000-0003-3267-5654, IMA World Health, Washington, DC, USA), Mary Linehan (IMA World Health, Washington, DC, USA), Kerry Ann Dobies (IMA World Health, Washington, DC, USA), Taylor Hoj (0000-0001-5215-5563, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA), Joshua H West (0000-0003-1086-3865, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA), P Cougar Hall (Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA), Cougar Hall (0000-0003-2927-6652, Brigham Young University), Benjamin T Crookston (0000-0003-3110-9562, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA, corresponding author)
Year2022
Volume43
Issue1
Pages3-19
Publication date2022-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Family Issues (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0192-513X • E-ISSN: 1552-5481
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/0192513x21993189
OpenAlexW3132733521
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited39

This study examined the relationship between men's involvement and primary caregivers' antenatal visits, acquiring antenatal tablets, and working less during pregnancy. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 5,000 Tanzanian primary caregivers living in households with one or more children under the age of 2 years. Results indicated that primary caregivers who received help from their husband/partner, or perceived that men in their community helped their pregnant spouses, were more likely to practice healthy antenatal care behaviors, including attending antenatal visits, acquiring antenatal tablets, and working less during pregnancy. Similarly, women who thought that all their friends receive help from their husbands/partners were twice as likely to reduce their workload during their pregnancy. These findings suggest the importance of male involvement and support during pregnancy in order to improve antenatal care, reduce workload, and increase tablet consumption among primary caregivers

Cross-sectional study · Family medicine · Pregnancy · Primary care · Tanzania · Workload · Child Nutrition and Water Access · Global Maternal and Child Health · Medicine · Poverty, Education, and Child Welfare