Female genital mutilation and male involvement: Insights of men and women in two counties in Kenya

This qualitative study, conducted in Meru and Kajiado counties in Kenya, explored the perceptions and attitudes of men and women regarding male involvement in FGM in order to inform the design of male involvement strategies in FGM abandonment. We used focus group discussions to collect the data which was then subjected to thematic analysis. Three main themes emerged from the data: i) culture and the role of men; ii) perceived awareness and knowledge of FGM among men, and iii) credible and customised education and engagement. The study found widespread agreement on the importance of male involvement in FGM abandonment. Culture played an important role in determining the extent of involvement, or lack thereof. We conclude that while culture needs to be respected it ought to be challenged to avoid the continued harm to girls. The potential of men as a collective to bring about change was evident, and policy makers and NGOs should utilise the power of male collectives to support efforts to abandon FGM

Knowledge and Attitude towards Pregnancy Care and Delivery among Male Commercial Motorcyclists in Ibadan, Nigeria

Background: Men's influences are gradually being recognised in pregnancy and delivery care. The study aims to determine the knowledge and attitude of male commercial motorcyclists on pregnancy care and delivery of women. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among married male commercial motorcyclists, operating in Ibadan North Local Government Area selected using a cluster sampling technique. Data was collected using a pre-tested, structured interviewer-administered questionnaire, and analysed using SPSS version 16. Each section was evaluated using rating of a three-point Likert scale with each item scored based on responses ranging from disagree to agree. Results were presented in tables and charts. Results: Four hundred and fifty three male commercial motorcyclists were interviewed. The mean age was 34.2±7.3years, 301 (66.4%) had secondary education, while 390 (86.1%) were in a monogamous marriage. Thirty 30(6.6%) respondents did not know when their wives registered for ANC while majority, 444(98.1%) did not know the duration of their wives' labour. Few respondents 46 (10.2%) recognized vaginal bleeding as a common danger signs in pregnancy while 277 (61.1%) agree that women should have at least four ANC visits before delivery. Many of the respondents 315 (69.6%) had good knowledge, and 304 (67.1%) had positive attitude towards antenatal and delivery care. Conclusion: Educational efforts on maternal health care should also focus on the men to improve their knowledge, attitude and involvement in antenatal and pregnancy.

Urban-rural differences in health service-related factors associated with male involvement in family planning services in Abia State, Southeastern Nigeria

Objective: To identify and compare the health service-related factors associated with male involvement in family planning services among the rural and urban areas in Abia State, Nigeria. Design: A community-based cross-sectional study. Setting: Twelve communities (six urban and six rural) in Abia State, Nigeria Participants: Five hundred and eighty-eight (588) men aged 15-59 years and resident in the study area 6 months before the study were recruited. Main outcome measure: Male involvement in family planning services Results: The mean ages of the respondents were 41.8±8.0 years and 43.1±8.0 years in the urban and rural areas, respectively. Active male involvement in family planning services was significantly higher in urban areas (62.6%, 95%CI: 56.8%-68.1%) compared to the rural areas (47.6%, 95%CI: 41.5%-53.2%. p<0.001). The predictors of male involvement included gender preference of healthcare workers (aOR=1.75, 95%CI:1.01-3.03) and attitude of the healthcare workers (aOR=2.07, 95%CI:1.17-3.67) among the urban participants, compared to occupational status of the respondents (aOR=2.50, 95% CI: 1.16-5.56) and the availability of male-friendly clinics (aOR=2.27, 95%CI:1.25-4.15) among the rural participants. Conclusion: Health service-related factors associated with male involvement varied between the urban and rural settings. Stakeholders should target addressing health service-related factors by types of settlement while designing family planning programs targeting men

Self-motivation, functional ability and participation among stroke survivors' resident in Ibadan metropolis, Nigeria

Background:Stroke is a leading cause of death both globally, and in Africa. The attendant effect of the stroke is disability, loss of function and psychosocial issues. Studies have been carried out on different rehabilitation outcomes such as participation, self-motivation and functional ability related to stroke survivors. There is however a dearth of studies exploring the relationships among self-motivation, functional ability and participation of stroke survivors, particularly in our African community.Objectives:Relationship among participation, self-motivation and functional ability of stroke survivors residing in Ibadan was investigated.Methods:This was a cross-sectional survey which involved 44 consenting stroke survivors. Clinical and demographic information were documented. Self-motivation, functional ability and participation of the stroke survivors were assessed with the Self-Motivation Inventory, Fugl-Meyer Assessment of Motor Recovery after Stroke; and London Handicap Scale respectively. Data was analysed with descriptive statistics and inferential statistics of Spearman Rank Correlation at p= 0.05.Results:There was a statistically significant positive correlation between the time since onset of stroke scores and participation (p= 0.02) and between the stroke survivors' functional ability and participation scores (p=0.001). Conversely there was no significant relationship between the participants' functional ability and time since onset of stroke scores (p= 0.62), between stroke survivors' self-motivation and time since onset of stroke scores (p= 0.41), between self-motivation and participation (p=0.80) and between self-motivation and functional ability scores (p= 0.80)Conclusions:Whereas self-motivation appeared non-related to functional ability and participation, a more exploration of the subject matter is still necessary for a conclusive inference to be drawn, especially in view of the sample size involved in this present study

Involvement in decision-making processes and retention of health workers: findings from a cross-sectional study in the Rwandan Public District Hospitals

Introduction: the contribution of the health workforce for better health care service provision is undoubtedly of great merit to any health system. However, the public district hospitals in Rwanda have been faced with the challenges of retaining the health personnel. This study looks into the management approach to address this challenge by investigating into the effect of employee involvement in the hospital decision-making processes on the retention of professional health workers.Methods: a cross-sectional design with quantitative approach was used. With a population of 469 health workers from 3 hospitals, a sample of 252 respondents was considered. Data collection was done by use of survey questionnaire. For data analysis, we used descriptive statistics to report perceived levels of involvement of health workers and intents to stay, and multiple logistic regression at 95% of confidence intervals to assess the effect of health workers? involvement in the hospital decision-making processes on the retention.Results: the findings revealed that health workers who perceived a high level of involvement in the hospital decision-making processes through the determination of teams for quality improvement in the health care service delivery were more likely to stay in the hospital (OR=100.111; P=0.001; CI=5.984-16.747) than those who perceived this function as low. It was also found that while an average level of involvement of health workers in the establishment of systems for suggestion in the hospital was associated with 6 odds of staying (OR=6.005; P=0.010; CI=1.529-23.571), health workers who perceived a high level of involvement were nearly 11 times more likely to stay (OR=10.952; P=0.001; CI=7.730-15.519) than their counterparts with low levels of perceptions.Conclusion: although there are positive associations between involvement of health workers in the hospitals decision-making processes and the intentions to stay, the existing level of staff involvement may have a negative effect on retention capacity in the public district hospitals

Male Partners' Involvement in Prevention of Mother-to-Child HIV Transmission in Africa: A Systematic Review

In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA); male partners are rarely present during prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) services. This systematic review aims to synthesize; from a male perspective; male partners' perceived roles; barriers and enablers of their involvement in PMTCT; and highlights persisting gaps. We carried out a systematic search of papers published between 2002 and 2013 in eng on Google Scholar and PubMed using the following terms: men; male partners; husbands; couples; involvement; participation; Antenatal Care (ANC); PMTCT; SSA countries; HIV Voluntary Counseling and Testing and disclosure. A total of 28 qualitative and quantitative original studies from 10 SSA countries were included. Men's perceived role was addressed in 28% (8/28) of the studies. Their role to provide money for ANC/PMTCT fees was stated in 62.5% (5/8) of the studies. For other men; the financial responsibilities seemed to be used as an excuse for not participating. Barriers were cited in 85.7% (24/28) of the studies and included socioeconomic factors; gender role; cultural beliefs; male unfriendly ANC/PMTCT services and providers' abusive attitudes toward men. About 64% (18/28) of the studies reported enablers such as: older age; higher education; being employed; trustful monogamous marriages and providers' politeness. In conclusion; comprehensive PMTCT policies that are socially and culturally sensitive to both women and men need to be developed

Willingness and Participation toward Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission among Males of Reproductive Age. a Study from Kilimanjaro-Tanzania

To determine willingness and participation toward Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) among males of Reproductive age in Hedaru Ward at Same district; Kilimanjaro region. To determine willingness and participation toward Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) among males of Reproductive age in Hedaru Ward at Same district; Kilimanjaro region. The result showed that of the 138 respondents; 103(74.6) were not willing to participate in PMTCT programs by accompanying their couples to the Antenatal Clinics . Also majority of them (61.4) have never participated in PMTCT programs in Antenatal Clinics. The reasons for poor involvement of males in PMTCT programs were; being busy [25.2]; cultural reasons[21.4]; lack of knowledge on the importance of the programs (21.4). Most males do not participate in PMTCT programs because they don't realise their importance due to inadequate knowledge about the programs; while others are hindered by cultural settings in the community which pose negative perceptions toward the programs. PMTCT clinics should be made men friendly and service providers should ensure that all efforts are made to involve men from the beginning in every PMTCT intervention. Men should be enforced to accompany their couples to the ANC through denying maternal services to the mother unless she comes with her husband/ partner

Factors contributing to tuberculosis patients' delay in seeking medical advice; Ndola; Zambia

70 tuberculosis patients between 20 and 50 years were randomly selected as a study example. The total sample size was 100 including 30 nurses who were also selected randomly as study objects. To compliment findings from this study; two separate Focus Group discussions were held with health providers and community members. Significantly factors that were determined as contributing to patient delay were; ignorance of patients on nature of symptoms experienced; influence of significant others; quality of existing health facilities; residential area of respondents; lack of adequate health education; financial constraints and age of the respondents