Background: Given the relevance of paternal involvement in maternal care, there is a need to prepare first-time fathers to participate in pregnancy and childbirth actively. This study explores the experiences and needs of firsttime fathers; and how these influences their involvement during pregnancy and childbirth in Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive qualitative study was conducted. Semi-structured interviews with 50 men recruited from rural and urban workplaces, hospitals, and markets, generated data used to explore the experiences, views and needs of first-time fathers' in pregnancy-related care in south-east Nigeria. All data were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis.Results: Six major themes were identified: gender roles, antenatal involvement, care costs and delivery choices, need to be informed, dealing with emotions, and dealing with the delivery day. The key finding reveals that inexperience and perceptions of gender roles greatly influenced the support provided by first-time fathers to their spouses and the support they received from their social support networks. Two primary needs were identified: need to be informed and the need to know about the cost of care in health settings. First-time fathers acknowledged the role of information on their decision making and final choices.Conclusion: Findings reveal the influence of gender norms, beliefs, and social support on first-time fathers' involvement in pregnancy and childbirth. This study also highlights the urgent need to provide informational support for first-time fathers and presents insights into what hospitals can do to achieve this need.

Background Given the importance of paternal involvement in maternal care, there is need to prepare first-time fathers to actively participate in pregnancy and childbirth in Nigeria. This study explores the experiences and needs of first-time fathers and the influence of these on their involvement during pregnancy and childbirth in Nigeria. Methods Semi structured interviews were conducted with 50 men recruited from workplaces, health centers, and markets in rural and urban settings in south-east Nigeria. Using an interview guide, questions were asked to explore the needs of first-time fathers and understand how their needs influenced their involvement during pregnancy and childbirth. Data was transcribed and analysed using thematic content analysis. Results Six major themes were identified pertaining to the experiences and needs of male partners experiencing pregnancy and childbirth for the first time. Inexperience, cultural beliefs and perception of gender norms influenced the most the support male partners were able to give to their spouses and the support received from their social support networks. Two main needs were identified: the need to be informed and the need to know about the cost of care in health settings. The male partners revealed how the information obtained during this crucial time impacted their choices and decisions. Conclusion Male partners experiences revealed the influence of gender norms, beliefs, and social support on male partner involvement in pregnancy and childbirth. First time fathers need more information and attention and this study presents insights into what local health settings can do to ensure their informational needs are met. Keywords: male involvement, first-time fathers, pregnancy, Nigeria

Background Given the relevance of paternal involvement in maternal care, there is a need to prepare first-time fathers to participate in pregnancy and childbirth actively. This study explores the experiences and needs of first-time fathers; and how these influences their involvement during pregnancy and childbirth in Nigeria. Methods A descriptive qualitative study was conducted. Semi-structured interviews with 50 men recruited from rural and urban workplaces, hospitals, and markets, generated data used to explore the experiences, views and needs of first-time fathers’ in pregnancy-related care in south-east Nigeria. All data were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. Results Six major themes were identified: gender roles, antenatal involvement, care costs and delivery choices, need to be informed, dealing with emotions, and dealing with the delivery day. The key finding reveals that inexperience and perceptions of gender roles greatly influenced the support provided by first-time fathers to their spouses and the support they received from their social support networks. Two primary needs were identified: need to be informed and the need to know about the cost of care in health settings. First-time fathers acknowledged the role of information on their decision making and final choices. Conclusion Findings reveal the influence of gender norms, beliefs, and social support on first-time fathers’ involvement in pregnancy and childbirth. This study also highlights the urgent need to provide informational support for first-time fathers and presents insights into what hospitals can do to achieve this need. Keywords: male involvement, first-time fathers, pregnancy, qualitative, Nigeria

While participant recruitment and qualitative interviewing are very crucial in data collection, researchers must be mindful of cultural contexts to ensure quality outcomes. This article explores the methodological and personal challenges encountered while recruiting and interviewing men in a research study. It addresses the influence of ‘who you know’ and researcher’s flexibility in negotiating one’s way while conducting fieldwork in African contexts. I describe the initial plan to recruit men only from health settings and why that failed. Then I outline other options explored and describe my encounters entering male-dominated workspaces. Additionally, I describe the recruitment strategy in the rural communities that resulted in my locating more engaged participants and having more extended interviews. Finally, I draw on my experiences to share some lessons learnt in the process and coping strategies that may be interesting for social researchers in similar dilemmas.

Many African fathers face practices in their host countries that conflict with the conceptions of fatherhood in their countries of origin. They deal with negative stereotypes, including notions of paternal irresponsibility when it comes to embracing child care. This article looks at how exposure to the Belgian norms of fatherhood may redefine the fatherhood practices of African first-time fathers residing in Belgium. Drawing on a qualitative narrative approach, this article explores the perceptions and experiences of African migrant fathers in Belgium and examines how they adapt to a different fathering culture. The findings show that while African first-time fathers acknowledged their primary role as providers, they also embraced new practices that transgress defined gender lines in African culture. In the absence of a larger family support network, respondents face the responsibility of providing prenatal and postnatal support and sharing in child care responsibilities. Findings also shed light on how African fathers with European partners engage in shared decision-making and negotiate on core African values such as male circumcision.