title: Qualitative study of the role of men in maternal health in resource-limited communities in western Kenya.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To better understand the beliefs of men and women in western Kenya regarding the appropriate role of men in maternal health and to identify barriers to greater involvement.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between June 1 and July 31, 2014, a cross-sectional qualitative study enrolled lay men, lay women, and community health workers from Kisumu and Nyamira counties in western Kenya. Semi-structured focus group discussions were conducted and qualitative approaches were utilized to analyze the transcripts and identify common themes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 134 individuals participated in 18 focus group discussions. Participants discussed the role of men and a general consensus was recorded that it was a man's duty to protect women during pregnancy. When discussing obstacles to male involvement, female participants highlighted gender dynamics and male participants raised financial limitations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was considerable discrepancy between how men described their roles and how they actually behaved, although educated men appeared to describe themselves as performing more supportive behaviors compared with male participants with less education. It is suggested that interventions aimed at increasing male involvement should incorporate the existing culturally sanctioned roles men perform as a foundation upon which to build, rather than attempting to construct roles that oppose prevailing norms.
authors: Division of Global Health and Human Rights, Department of Emergency Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
authors: Kathryn
authors: K
authors: Brubaker
authors: Division of Global Health and Human Rights, Department of Emergency Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. Electronic address: brett.d.nelson@gmail.com.
authors: Brett D
authors: BD
authors: Nelson
authors: Division of Global Health and Human Rights, Department of Emergency Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
authors: Heather
authors: H
authors: McPherson
authors: Division of Global Health and Human Rights, Department of Emergency Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
authors: Roy
authors: R
authors: Ahn
authors: Kisumu Medical and Education Trust, Kisumu, Kenya.
authors: Monica
authors: M
authors: Oguttu
authors: Division of Global Health and Human Rights, Department of Emergency Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
authors: Thomas F
authors: TF
authors: Burke
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003150:Community Health Workers; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D005783:Gender Identity; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006295:Health Resources; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya; D008297:Male; D000068097:Maternal Health; D008428:Maternal Mortality; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D036301:Qualitative Research; D060728:Reproductive Health; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Community health workers; Developing countries; Male involvement; Male role; Maternal health; Maternal mortality; Perceptions; Reproductive health