Husbands' experiences and perceptions regarding the use of maternity waiting homes in rural Zambia

Cephas Sialubanje; Karlijn Massar; Elisa M Kirch; Marit S G van der Pijl; Davidson H Hamer; Robert A C Ruiter

doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijgo.2015.08.023

Husbands' experiences and perceptions regarding the use of maternity waiting homes in rural Zambia

Cephas Sialubanje, Karlijn Massar, Elisa M Kirch, Marit S G van der Pijl, Davidson H Hamer, Robert A C Ruiter

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

24 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To explore men's experience and beliefs regarding the use of maternity waiting homes (MWHs) in Kalomo District, Zambia.

METHODS: As part of a qualitative study, in-depth interviews with the husbands/partners of women attending the under-five clinic at a health center with a MWH were conducted between April 1 and May 31, 2014. Men aged 18-50 years whose partner/wife was of reproductive age and who had lived in the area for more than 6 months were eligible for inclusion.

RESULTS: Overall, 24 husbands/partners were interviewed in seven rural health centers. Men perceived many potential benefits of MWHs, including improved access to facility-based skilled delivery services and treatment in case of labor complications. Their many roles included decision making and securing funds for transport, food, cleaning materials, and clothes for the mother and the neonate to use during and after labor. However, limited financial resources made it difficult for them to provide for their wives and newborns, and usually led to delays in their decisions about MWH use. Poor conditions in MWHs and the lack of basic social and healthcare needs meant some men had forbidden their wives/partners from using the facilities.

CONCLUSION: Important intervention targets for improving access to MWHs and skilled birth attendance have been identified.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	108-11
Number of pages	4
Journal	International Journal of Gynaecology and Obstetrics
Volume	133
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijgo.2015.08.023
Publication status	Published - Apr 2016
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

Adolescent
Adult
Female
Health Services Accessibility
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Interviews as Topic
Male
Maternal Health Services/organization & administration
Middle Aged
Perception
Pregnancy
Prenatal Care/methods
Residential Facilities
Rural Health Services/organization & administration
Rural Population
Spouses/psychology
Young Adult
Zambia

Access to Document

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijgo.2015.08.023

Cite this

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title = "Husbands' experiences and perceptions regarding the use of maternity waiting homes in rural Zambia",

abstract = "OBJECTIVE: To explore men's experience and beliefs regarding the use of maternity waiting homes (MWHs) in Kalomo District, Zambia.METHODS: As part of a qualitative study, in-depth interviews with the husbands/partners of women attending the under-five clinic at a health center with a MWH were conducted between April 1 and May 31, 2014. Men aged 18-50 years whose partner/wife was of reproductive age and who had lived in the area for more than 6 months were eligible for inclusion.RESULTS: Overall, 24 husbands/partners were interviewed in seven rural health centers. Men perceived many potential benefits of MWHs, including improved access to facility-based skilled delivery services and treatment in case of labor complications. Their many roles included decision making and securing funds for transport, food, cleaning materials, and clothes for the mother and the neonate to use during and after labor. However, limited financial resources made it difficult for them to provide for their wives and newborns, and usually led to delays in their decisions about MWH use. Poor conditions in MWHs and the lack of basic social and healthcare needs meant some men had forbidden their wives/partners from using the facilities.CONCLUSION: Important intervention targets for improving access to MWHs and skilled birth attendance have been identified.",

keywords = "Adolescent, Adult, Female, Health Services Accessibility, Humans, Infant, Newborn, Interviews as Topic, Male, Maternal Health Services/organization & administration, Middle Aged, Perception, Pregnancy, Prenatal Care/methods, Residential Facilities, Rural Health Services/organization & administration, Rural Population, Spouses/psychology, Young Adult, Zambia",

author = "Cephas Sialubanje and Karlijn Massar and Kirch, {Elisa M} and {van der Pijl}, {Marit S G} and Hamer, {Davidson H} and Ruiter, {Robert A C}",

year = "2016",

month = apr,

doi = "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijgo.2015.08.023",

language = "English",

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journal = "International Journal of Gynaecology and Obstetrics",

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T1 - Husbands' experiences and perceptions regarding the use of maternity waiting homes in rural Zambia

AU - Sialubanje, Cephas

AU - Massar, Karlijn

AU - Kirch, Elisa M

AU - van der Pijl, Marit S G

AU - Hamer, Davidson H

AU - Ruiter, Robert A C

PY - 2016/4

Y1 - 2016/4

N2 - OBJECTIVE: To explore men's experience and beliefs regarding the use of maternity waiting homes (MWHs) in Kalomo District, Zambia.METHODS: As part of a qualitative study, in-depth interviews with the husbands/partners of women attending the under-five clinic at a health center with a MWH were conducted between April 1 and May 31, 2014. Men aged 18-50 years whose partner/wife was of reproductive age and who had lived in the area for more than 6 months were eligible for inclusion.RESULTS: Overall, 24 husbands/partners were interviewed in seven rural health centers. Men perceived many potential benefits of MWHs, including improved access to facility-based skilled delivery services and treatment in case of labor complications. Their many roles included decision making and securing funds for transport, food, cleaning materials, and clothes for the mother and the neonate to use during and after labor. However, limited financial resources made it difficult for them to provide for their wives and newborns, and usually led to delays in their decisions about MWH use. Poor conditions in MWHs and the lack of basic social and healthcare needs meant some men had forbidden their wives/partners from using the facilities.CONCLUSION: Important intervention targets for improving access to MWHs and skilled birth attendance have been identified.

AB - OBJECTIVE: To explore men's experience and beliefs regarding the use of maternity waiting homes (MWHs) in Kalomo District, Zambia.METHODS: As part of a qualitative study, in-depth interviews with the husbands/partners of women attending the under-five clinic at a health center with a MWH were conducted between April 1 and May 31, 2014. Men aged 18-50 years whose partner/wife was of reproductive age and who had lived in the area for more than 6 months were eligible for inclusion.RESULTS: Overall, 24 husbands/partners were interviewed in seven rural health centers. Men perceived many potential benefits of MWHs, including improved access to facility-based skilled delivery services and treatment in case of labor complications. Their many roles included decision making and securing funds for transport, food, cleaning materials, and clothes for the mother and the neonate to use during and after labor. However, limited financial resources made it difficult for them to provide for their wives and newborns, and usually led to delays in their decisions about MWH use. Poor conditions in MWHs and the lack of basic social and healthcare needs meant some men had forbidden their wives/partners from using the facilities.CONCLUSION: Important intervention targets for improving access to MWHs and skilled birth attendance have been identified.

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