Effect of male partners' involvement and support on reproductive, maternal and child health and well‐being in East Africa: A scoping review
Abstract Background and Aims East African countries have high rates of maternal and child mortality and morbidity. Studies have shown that the involvement of male partners in reproductive health can benefit maternal and child health (MCH). This scoping review aims to provide an overview of the evide...
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Wiley
2024-08-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.2269 |
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| author | Richard Fletcher Faye Forbes Abel Fekadu Dadi Getachew Mullu Kassa Casey Regan Anna Galle Addisu Beyene Rebecca Liackman Marleen Temmerman |
| author_facet | Richard Fletcher Faye Forbes Abel Fekadu Dadi Getachew Mullu Kassa Casey Regan Anna Galle Addisu Beyene Rebecca Liackman Marleen Temmerman |
| author_sort | Richard Fletcher |
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| description | Abstract Background and Aims East African countries have high rates of maternal and child mortality and morbidity. Studies have shown that the involvement of male partners in reproductive health can benefit maternal and child health (MCH). This scoping review aims to provide an overview of the evidence across East Africa that describes male partner involvement and its effect on maternal, reproductive, and child well‐being. Methods Ten databases were searched to identify quantitative data on male's involvement in East Africa. Studies reporting qualitative data, “intention to use” data or only reporting on male partner's education or economic status were excluded. Studies were organized into five a priori categories: antenatal care (ANC), human immunodeficiency virus, breastfeeding, family planning, and intimate partner violence with further categories developed based on studies included. Results A total of 2787 records were identified; 644 full texts were reviewed, and 96 studies were included in this review. Data were reported on 118,967 mothers/pregnant women and 15,361 male partners. Most of the studies (n = 83) were reported from four countries Ethiopia (n = 49), Kenya (n = 14), Tanzania (n = 12) and Uganda (n = 10). The evidence indicates that male partner involvement and support is associated with improved reproductive, MCH across a wide range of outcomes. However, the studies were heterogeneous, using diverse exposure and outcome measures. Also, male partners' lack of practical and emotional support, and engagement in violent behaviors towards partners, were associated with profound negative impacts on MCH and well‐being. Conclusions The body of evidence, although heterogeneous, provides compelling support for male involvement in reproductive health programs designed to support MCH. To advance research in this field, an agreement is needed on a measure of male partner “involvement.” To optimize benefits of male partners' involvement, developing core outcome sets and regional coordination are recommended. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8db1379ccc2f46739b6a26e40dfc9859 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2398-8835 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-08-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Health Science Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-8db1379ccc2f46739b6a26e40dfc98592025-08-20T02:56:30ZengWileyHealth Science Reports2398-88352024-08-0178n/an/a10.1002/hsr2.2269Effect of male partners' involvement and support on reproductive, maternal and child health and well‐being in East Africa: A scoping reviewRichard Fletcher0Faye Forbes1Abel Fekadu Dadi2Getachew Mullu Kassa3Casey Regan4Anna Galle5Addisu Beyene6Rebecca Liackman7Marleen Temmerman8College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing The University of Newcastle Callaghan New South Wales AustraliaCollege of Health Sciences Debre Markos University Debre Markos EthiopiaMenzies School of Health Research Charles Darwin University, NT, Australia & Addis Continental Institute of Public Health Addis Ababa EthiopiaJohns Hopkins University School of Nursing Baltimore Maryland USACollege of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing The University of Newcastle Callaghan New South Wales AustraliaDepartment Public Health and Primary Care International Centre for Reproductive Health, Ghent University Ghent BelgiumSchool of Public Health, College of Health and Medical Sciences Haramaya University Harar EthiopiaCollege of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing The University of Newcastle Callaghan New South Wales AustraliaFaculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Ghent University Ghent BelgiumAbstract Background and Aims East African countries have high rates of maternal and child mortality and morbidity. Studies have shown that the involvement of male partners in reproductive health can benefit maternal and child health (MCH). This scoping review aims to provide an overview of the evidence across East Africa that describes male partner involvement and its effect on maternal, reproductive, and child well‐being. Methods Ten databases were searched to identify quantitative data on male's involvement in East Africa. Studies reporting qualitative data, “intention to use” data or only reporting on male partner's education or economic status were excluded. Studies were organized into five a priori categories: antenatal care (ANC), human immunodeficiency virus, breastfeeding, family planning, and intimate partner violence with further categories developed based on studies included. Results A total of 2787 records were identified; 644 full texts were reviewed, and 96 studies were included in this review. Data were reported on 118,967 mothers/pregnant women and 15,361 male partners. Most of the studies (n = 83) were reported from four countries Ethiopia (n = 49), Kenya (n = 14), Tanzania (n = 12) and Uganda (n = 10). The evidence indicates that male partner involvement and support is associated with improved reproductive, MCH across a wide range of outcomes. However, the studies were heterogeneous, using diverse exposure and outcome measures. Also, male partners' lack of practical and emotional support, and engagement in violent behaviors towards partners, were associated with profound negative impacts on MCH and well‐being. Conclusions The body of evidence, although heterogeneous, provides compelling support for male involvement in reproductive health programs designed to support MCH. To advance research in this field, an agreement is needed on a measure of male partner “involvement.” To optimize benefits of male partners' involvement, developing core outcome sets and regional coordination are recommended.https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.2269child healthEast Africamale partner involvementmaternal healthreproductive health care |
| spellingShingle | Richard Fletcher Faye Forbes Abel Fekadu Dadi Getachew Mullu Kassa Casey Regan Anna Galle Addisu Beyene Rebecca Liackman Marleen Temmerman Effect of male partners' involvement and support on reproductive, maternal and child health and well‐being in East Africa: A scoping review Health Science Reports child health East Africa male partner involvement maternal health reproductive health care |
| title | Effect of male partners' involvement and support on reproductive, maternal and child health and well‐being in East Africa: A scoping review |
| title_full | Effect of male partners' involvement and support on reproductive, maternal and child health and well‐being in East Africa: A scoping review |
| title_fullStr | Effect of male partners' involvement and support on reproductive, maternal and child health and well‐being in East Africa: A scoping review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effect of male partners' involvement and support on reproductive, maternal and child health and well‐being in East Africa: A scoping review |
| title_short | Effect of male partners' involvement and support on reproductive, maternal and child health and well‐being in East Africa: A scoping review |
| title_sort | effect of male partners involvement and support on reproductive maternal and child health and well being in east africa a scoping review |
| topic | child health East Africa male partner involvement maternal health reproductive health care |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.2269 |
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