Towards a global framework for assessing male involvement in maternal health: results of an international Delphi study

Purpose Currently, no standard instrument exists for assessing the concept of male involvement in maternal health, hampering comparison of results and interpretation of the literature. The aim of this study was to construct the key elements of a global multidimensional male involvement framework, ba...

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Main Authors: Kristien Roelens, Sally Griffin, Anna Galle, Nafissa Osman, Olivier Degomme
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMJ Publishing Group 2021-09-01
Series:BMJ Open
Online Access:https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/9/e051361.full
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author Kristien Roelens
Sally Griffin
Anna Galle
Nafissa Osman
Olivier Degomme
author_facet Kristien Roelens
Sally Griffin
Anna Galle
Nafissa Osman
Olivier Degomme
author_sort Kristien Roelens
collection DOAJ
description Purpose Currently, no standard instrument exists for assessing the concept of male involvement in maternal health, hampering comparison of results and interpretation of the literature. The aim of this study was to construct the key elements of a global multidimensional male involvement framework, based on the latest evidence and input of experts in the field.Methods For this purpose, a Delphi study, including an international panel of 26 experts, was carried out. The study consisted of three rounds, with 92% of respondents completing all three surveys. Experts were asked to rate indicators within six categories in terms of validity, feasibility, sensitivity, specificity and context robustness. Furthermore, they were encouraged to clarify their rating with open text responses. Indicators were excluded or adapted according to experts’ feedback before inclusion. A 85% agreement was used as threshold for consensus.Results A general consensus was reached for a global framework for assessing male involvement in maternal health, consisting of five categories: involvement in communication, involvement in decision-making, practical involvement, physical involvement and emotional involvement.Conclusions Using the male involvement framework as a tool to assess the concept of male involvement in maternal health at local, national, and international levels could allow improved assessment and comparison of study findings. Further research is needed for refining the indicators according to context and exploring how shared decision-making, gender equality and women’s empowerment can be assessed and facilitated within male involvement programmes.
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spelling doaj-art-1abf49c878974e41ad624dff0c0093672025-08-20T02:18:11ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Open2044-60552021-09-0111910.1136/bmjopen-2021-051361Towards a global framework for assessing male involvement in maternal health: results of an international Delphi studyKristien Roelens0Sally Griffin1Anna Galle2Nafissa Osman3Olivier Degomme4Ghent University Hospital, Obstetrics, Ghent, BelgiumInternational Centre for Reproductive Health-Mozambique (ICRHM), Maputo, Mozambique1 Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Gent, BelgiumObstetrics and Gynecology, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo, MozambiqueDepartment of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Gent, BelgiumPurpose Currently, no standard instrument exists for assessing the concept of male involvement in maternal health, hampering comparison of results and interpretation of the literature. The aim of this study was to construct the key elements of a global multidimensional male involvement framework, based on the latest evidence and input of experts in the field.Methods For this purpose, a Delphi study, including an international panel of 26 experts, was carried out. The study consisted of three rounds, with 92% of respondents completing all three surveys. Experts were asked to rate indicators within six categories in terms of validity, feasibility, sensitivity, specificity and context robustness. Furthermore, they were encouraged to clarify their rating with open text responses. Indicators were excluded or adapted according to experts’ feedback before inclusion. A 85% agreement was used as threshold for consensus.Results A general consensus was reached for a global framework for assessing male involvement in maternal health, consisting of five categories: involvement in communication, involvement in decision-making, practical involvement, physical involvement and emotional involvement.Conclusions Using the male involvement framework as a tool to assess the concept of male involvement in maternal health at local, national, and international levels could allow improved assessment and comparison of study findings. Further research is needed for refining the indicators according to context and exploring how shared decision-making, gender equality and women’s empowerment can be assessed and facilitated within male involvement programmes.https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/9/e051361.full
spellingShingle Kristien Roelens
Sally Griffin
Anna Galle
Nafissa Osman
Olivier Degomme
Towards a global framework for assessing male involvement in maternal health: results of an international Delphi study
BMJ Open
title Towards a global framework for assessing male involvement in maternal health: results of an international Delphi study
title_full Towards a global framework for assessing male involvement in maternal health: results of an international Delphi study
title_fullStr Towards a global framework for assessing male involvement in maternal health: results of an international Delphi study
title_full_unstemmed Towards a global framework for assessing male involvement in maternal health: results of an international Delphi study
title_short Towards a global framework for assessing male involvement in maternal health: results of an international Delphi study
title_sort towards a global framework for assessing male involvement in maternal health results of an international delphi study
url https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/9/e051361.full
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