Husband involvement in reproductive health in Nepal

Principal investigator

Ronald Horstman (NIDI)

Collaboration

NIDI and Centre for Research on Environment, Health and Population Activities (Crehpa) and the Nepalese grassroots NGO Amaa Milan Kendra

Funding

European Union under the EC/UNFPA Reproductive Health Initiative in Asia; NIDI

Period 

2002-2004 

Description of the research 

The research on male involvement in safe motherhood in Morang District, Nepal follows earlier research on making motherhood safer by improving men's knowledge, attitudes and behaviour concerning gender relations, safe motherhood issues, spousal communication, preparedness for pregnancy, delivery and fatherhood, and decision-making on accessing adequate maternal health services.

With the goal to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality, the aim of the research is to design tailored interventions by studying the nature, prevalence and determinants of male involvement in the prevention of and response to ill health of pregnant women.

Research results indicate that men hardly have any knowledge about Safe Motherhood issues. Social representations on manhood (what is a good man, what is a good husband, according to society) prevent them to undertake actions regarding Safe Motherhood issues for their wives.

Presentations 

• Horstman, R.G., B. Nepal and P.D. Pant (2004), Husband’s involvement in the prevention of maternal ill-health: Determinants of husband’s domestic support in rural low-land of Nepal. Poster presented at the Population Association of America, 1-3 April 2004, Boston.