Reproductive health has long been perceived as a woman’s issue, with men often relegated to the sidelines. However, this mindset is slowly changing as the importance of male involvement in reproductive health becomes increasingly evident. In this report, BLESSING OKOLA writes on the significance of this initiative.
Male involvement in reproductive health is an essential component in promoting maternal and family health. In Nigeria, men are not actively engaged in most maternal and child health (MCH) services nor in other reproductive health programs.
It’s a crucial aspect of promoting healthy relationships, families, and communities. In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of men’s participation in reproductive health decision-making.
Men play a well-recognised role in reproductive health care as they are critical to the achievement of female reproductive health.
Men’s education and attitude, knowledge and awareness, socio-cultural factors, psychological factors, health system factors, and policies play important roles in male involvement in reproductive health.
Programmes on effective implementation of men’s involvement in reproductive health initiatives should address the barriers and challenges to men’s supportive activities.
Declining data
Although the data on maternal death show a declining trend over the last three decades in developing countries, it still accounts for 99% of global maternal mortality in low- and middle-income countries, which approximates to 287,000 per year.
Many global communities are putting their optimum efforts in reducing maternal mortality. Institutional delivery, universal access to antenatal care, presence of skilled health personnel during delivery and provision of essential equipment, drugs, and supplies are some of the important strategies that are being put forward.
However, in recent years along with these potential drivers, male involvement in reproductive health is recommended as one of the basic interventions to improve maternal health and outcomes.
In most of the developing countries, men play the role of gatekeepers to health care. They are the primary decision makers that directly affect their partner’s and children’s health and their decisions affect the utilisation of resources and access to health care services, use of contraceptives and child spacing, availability of nutritious food and women’s workload.
Apart from the role of decision makers in the family, their actions in terms of abuse or neglect have a direct impact over the health of their partner’s and children.
Thus, having tremendous economic and social power in the family, active involvement of men in maternal and child health (MCH) has significant implications. However, in spite of the significant role of men, they have inadequate knowledge about maternal and child health (MCH).
Social structures
The deep-rooted social structures of developing societies have formed an inequity over the power of making decisions on various aspects of reproductive health.
Furthermore, when men used to be the sole income generator of the family, their attention toward family health and their involvement in reproductive health was limited. This has led women to be the basic target in most of the health education and awareness programs and men tend to be excluded.
This exclusion indicates an incredible reason behind men being unable to make informed decisions during emergencies and being less interested to engage in maternal and reproductive health.
Studies have also shown that men’s involvement in reproductive health is positively associated with better health outcomes for women and children.
To address these challenges, it’s essential to promote education and awareness-raising initiatives that target men and boys. This can include community-based programs, school curricula, and media campaigns that promote positive masculinity and encourage men’s involvement in reproductive health.
Demographic survey
According to a recent report by the Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), men’s involvement in reproductive health is crucial in reducing maternal and child mortality rates.
The report revealed that men who are involved in family planning decisions are more likely to support their partners’ reproductive choices, leading to better contraceptive use and reduced unplanned pregnancies.
However, cultural and social norms in Nigeria often discourage men from discussing reproductive health or seeking medical attention.
Earlier, a reproductive health expert, Dr. Olajide Ademola, said traditional masculinity is a major barrier to male participation in reproductive health as men are often expected to be strong and silent, which can prevent them from seeking help or discussing their reproductive health concerns.
To address this challenge, organisations such as the Men’s Association for Gender Equality (MAGE) are working to promote positive masculinity and encourage men to take an active role in family planning.
Experts’ views
Also, the coordinator, Men’s Association for Gender Equality (MAGE), Mr. Emmanuel Udoh, said, “We need to break the silence surrounding male involvement in reproductive health,” adding that “men must be encouraged to participate in family planning decisions and seek medical attention when needed.”
In the same vein, the director, Post-Pregnancy Family Planning Project (PPFP), Dr. Taiwo Johnson, has earlier Advocated for Men’s Participation In Family Planning.
The director said that a woman could get pregnant soon after delivery, even while breastfeeding, adding that for breastfeeding to be an effective family planning method, three conditions must be met.
“Ensure that her menstruation has not returned after giving birth; the baby is put to breast day and night on demand, excluding food and water, and that the baby must be less than six months,” she said.
Johnson said from the day a woman gets pregnant, there must be proper understanding between the couple on the best method of family planning to use after child delivery.
The Nigerian government has also launched initiatives aimed at increasing male participation in reproductive health. The National Reproductive Health Policy, launched in 2017, emphasises the importance of male involvement in reproductive health decision-making.
Overall, male participation in reproductive health is critical in addressing Nigeria’s reproductive health challenges. By promoting positive masculinity and encouraging men to take an active role in family planning, we can reduce maternal and child mortality rates and improve overall reproductive health outcomes.