Assessing the Status and Barrier to Male Involvement in Maternal Healthcare Services in Kigamboni District, Tanzania

Male involvement in maternal healthcare is an effective approach to improving maternal and child health. Despite this, it has been perceived as a woman's responsibility and is a significant challenge in developed and developing countries, including Tanzania. Furthermore, evidence is scarce regarding male involvement in maternal health care in some parts of the country, including Kigamboni District. Therefore, by employing the Socio-Ecological Model (SEM), this study assesses the current status of male involvement in maternal health care. The descriptive nature study allowed for the collection of quantitative and qualitative information. A sample size of 100 men was selected to participate in the survey. Two FGDs and four KIIs were also conducted. Descriptive analysis was performed for quantitative data, while thematic content analysis was done for qualitative data. Findings for this study revealed that some 34%, 43% and 23% of men accompanied their partners to antennal care, for delivery, and to postnatal care, respectively. Some socio-economic backgrounds, such as education, occupation and age of respondents, contributed to male involvement in maternal health care. Similarly, disenabling factors such as attitudes of service providers, prohibitive social and cultural norms, economic factors, and health-related factors came out as key barriers to male active involvement in maternal health care. To enhance male involvement, the study recommends targeted educational campaigns, proactive engagement by healthcare providers, and community-based interventions aimed at reshaping gender norms and promoting positive male attitudes. Such efforts are essential for improving maternal and child health outcomes in Kigamboni and across Tanzania