BackgroundUnderstanding the strategies that health care providers employ in order to invite men to participate in maternal health care is very vital especially in today's dynamic cultural environment. Effective utilization of such strategies is dependent on uncovering the salient issues that facilitate male participation in maternal health care. This paper examines and describes the strategies that were used by different health care facilities to invite husbands to participate in maternal health care in rural and urban settings of southern Malawi.MethodsThe data was collected through in-depth interviews from sixteen of the twenty health care providers from five different health facilities in rural and urban settings of Malawi. The health facilities comprised two health centres, one district hospital, one mission hospital, one private hospital and one central hospital. A semi-structured interview guide was used to collect data from health care providers with the aim of understanding strategies they used to invite men to participate in maternal health care.ResultsFour main strategies were used to invite men to participate in maternal health care. The strategies were; health care provider initiative, partner notification, couple initiative and community mobilization. The health care provider initiative and partner notification were at health facility level, while the couple initiative was at family level and community mobilization was at village (community) level. The community mobilization had three sub-themes namely; male peer initiative, use of incentives and community sensitization. The sustainability of each strategy to significantly influence behaviour change for male participation in maternal health care is discussed.ConclusionStrategies to invite men to participate in maternal health care were at health facility, family and community levels. The couple strategy was most appropriate but was mostly used by educated and city residents. The male peer strategy was effective and sustainable at community level. There is need for creation of awareness in men so that they sustain their participation in maternal health care activities of their female partners even in the absence of incentives, coercion or invitation.

BackgroundExploring the experiences and views of men who had attended the birth of their children is very vital, especially in a setting where traditionally only women accord women support during labour and childbirth. The insights drawn from the male partners’ views and experiences could enhance the current woman-centred midwifery model that encompasses the needs of the baby, the woman’s family and other people important to the woman, as defined and negotiated by the woman herself. This paper explored the views and experiences of men who attended the birth of their children from two private hospitals in an urban setting in southern Malawi.MethodsThis study used an exploratory descriptive qualitative approach. The data were collected through in-depth interviews from 20 men from Blantyre, a city in the southern part of Malawi, who consented to participate in the study. These men attended the birth of their children at Blantyre Adventist and Mlambe Mission Hospitals within the past two years prior to data collection in August 2010. A semi-structure interview guide was used to collect data. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyse the data set.ResultsFour themes were identified to explain the experiences and views of men about attending childbirth. The themes were motivation; positive experiences; negative experiences; reflection and resolutions. The negative experiences had four sub-themes namely shame and embarrassment, helplessness and unprepared, health care provider – male partner tension, and exclusion from decision-making process.ConclusionsThe findings showed that with proper motivational information, enabling environment, positive midwives’ attitude and spouse willingness, it is possible to involve male partners during childbirth in Malawi. Midwives, women and male peers are vital in the promotion of male involvement during childbirth. In addition, midwives have a duty to ensure that men are well prepared for the labour and childbirth processes for the experience to be a positive one.

Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) face risks of long-term health complications due to difficulties in achieving and maintaining target glycemic control. The study aimed at assessing knowledge on diabetes and self-care practices among older adolescents with type 1 diabetes to identify significant knowledge gaps. Gathering information from adolescents on how much they know about the condition and their self-care practices would help identify significant knowledge and self-care gaps. A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional study design was used. Convenience sampling was employed to recruit 46 adolescents with TIDM from two tertiary hospitals in Malawi. Data were collected using interviewer administered questionnaire from January to March, 2014, and analyzed using SPSS version 20. The study results revealed inadequate knowledge amongst the adolescents on issues pertinent to self-cares. 58% (42/72) had inadequate knowledge on managing hyperglycemia, 61% (28/46) were inappropriately doing the self-monitoring of blood glucose resulting in high admission rate with 44% being admitted 3-4 times and 11% more than 7 times in a year. Linear regression showed a significant association between age and number of admissions (P=0.022) hence as age increases, so does the number of admissions. 78% (36/46) were not adequately counseled on diet plan. Excessive thirst and frequent urination were the most mentioned signs of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus 24% (45/191). Ulcers on the feet were the most mentioned complication 33% (42/127.

Background Adolescent pregnancy is a public health concern in Malawi as it is associated with high risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Almost 29% of adolescent women aged 15–19 years are already mothers and adolescent fertility rate is also high estimated at 136 per 1000 women. Therefore, the aim of the study was to explore knowledge of pregnant adolescents on importance of antenatal care and health promotion during pregnancy. Methods A qualitative descriptive design was used to solicit information on significance of antenatal care and how adolescents promote their health during pregnancy. Data was collected from 77 pregnant adolescents, purposively sampled from Namitambo and Namadzi Heath Centres in Chiladzulu District, Malawi. A semi-structured interview guide was used for data collection. Data were analysed manually following principles of qualitative content analysis. Results Themes that emerged from the qualitative data included: knowledge deficit on the purpose and benefits of antenatal care; knowledge deficit on services offered at antenatal care clinic; knowledge deficit on danger signs during antenatal period and antenatal emergency care; knowledge deficit on effects of alcohol and smoking; knowledge deficit on nutrition during pregnancy; and knowledge deficit on importance of rest during pregnancy. Conclusion This study has shown knowledge deficit among adolescent mothers that may contribute to poor pregnancy outcomes. Several factors could be attributed to such knowledge deficit. Therefore, healthcare systems and healthcare professionals have a responsibility to enhance health literacy of pregnant adolescents with an ultimate goal of improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes.