1. Community Perspectives on Men’s Role in the Utilisation of Maternal Health Services Among Saharia Tribes in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India: Insights from a Qualitative Study
- Author
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K Bal Gulati, M Vishnu Vardhana Rao, Atul Juneja, Tulsi Adhikari, Saritha Nair, and Ashpinder Kaur
- Subjects
Male ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Epidemiology ,Population ,Psychological intervention ,India ,Qualitative property ,Gender Role ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Population Groups ,Pregnancy ,Environmental health ,Health care ,Tribe ,Humans ,Medicine ,Maternal Health Services ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Child ,education ,Qualitative Research ,education.field_of_study ,030219 obstetrics & reproductive medicine ,business.industry ,Public health ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,Obstetrics and Gynecology ,Prenatal Care ,Focus group ,Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health ,Female ,business ,Qualitative research - Abstract
Utilization of maternal health care services by tribal population could be detrimental in reducing high maternal mortality in Madhya Pradesh, India. A growing body of evidence indicates the positive association between male involvement and increased use of antenatal care services. Further research is required to understand barriers and possible solutions to develop culturally appropriate interventions to engage men to promote the utilization of maternal health care services. The study used qualitative data collected through 8 focus group discussions with men and women and 8 key informant interviews with either a community representative or health worker in two blocks dominated by Saharia tribes in Gwalior district, Madhya Pradesh, India in 2018. Information on the perception of utilization of maternal and child health services, male involvement, challenges and opportunities were elicited using a structured guide. Framework analysis was used to analyse the data. Findings document barriers at the individual (poor knowledge, fear of loss of wage, choice of home as a place of delivery), community (practices that reinforced the prevailing gender norms) and health care facility level (quality and attitude of health care providers) to male engagement in utilization of maternal health services. Community perceptions on possible solutions to address these were more likely to be gender exploitative interventions. To promote utilization of maternal health care services among Saharia tribes, this study highlights the importance of developing gender sensitive interventions that addresses the individual, community and health care facility level barriers of male involvement and do not reinforce existing gender norms.
- Published
- 2020