The Burkinabé Ministry of Health is implementing a community-based program to promote access to reproductive health services to men and women in 40 villages. A quasi-experimental design is being used. Eighty-four community-based agents have been selected to serve as liaisons between the clinical services and the communities in the experimental villages. They provide a range of reproductive health services including family planning, STI/HIV prevention, female genital cutting prevention, child survival and safe motherhood activities. A cohort of 2500 women and 2000 men were gathered in the 1996 baseline panel survey. The 1998 follow-up panel revealed that men, as well as pregnant women, are underserved by the intervention. We have designed a qualitative study to understand what the needs for men and pregnant women are. Focus group and community meetings have been organized with men and women, and interviews with pregnant women have been conducted in health centers. Pregnant women have been identified and are being followed throughout their pregnancies to understand their particular needs during this period, the current role of their partners, and how they wish male would be involved. The same approach is being used to inform men's needs, behaviors and desires during their partners' pregnancy. Appropriate interventions will be drawn from the lessons learned. This paper will present keys findings from both qualitative and quantitative studies and design's interventions. This paper will inform on ways to involve men in supporting their partners during pregnancy in the studied area.
Learning Objectives: At the end of the presentation, the participant will know what are the particular needs of pregnant women and their partners during the pregnancy period in rural West Africa
Keywords: Reproductive Health Research, Partner Involvement
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.