Tanzanian men’s engagement in household chores is associated with improved antenatal care seeking and maternal health

Abstract

Background Male support for partners’ antenatal care (ANC) has the potential to improve women’s care-seeking and maternal health outcomes. This study describes factors that are associated with men’s involvement in household tasks and explores the relationship between men’s help with tasks and women’s ANC-seeking, diet and workload during pregnancy as well as other health behaviors. Methods This study was conducted in five Lake Zone regions of Tanzania. Cross-sectional surveys were carried out among approximately 10,000 households that had children under the age of 2 years. Surveys were administered to mothers of children less than 2 years and where available, their male partners. Data were collected between December 2015 and May 2020, in conjunction with a large-scale campaign aimed at reducing childhood stunting by changing the behavior of mothers, caregivers, and decision makers. Data analysis included bivariate analysis and logistic regression modeling. Results Men’s engagement in household activities was significantly associated with living in an urban setting, being younger, having at least some formal schooling, early verbal interactions with their children, and male involvement in healthcare decisions. Additionally, mothers of male partners that were engaged in household activities were significantly older and more likely to have at least some secondary school education. Relative to households where men only infrequently helped out with chores or not at all, women from households where men frequently helped were significantly more likely to have taken iron tablets during pregnancy, report having eaten more than usual, lessening their household workload during their most recent pregnancy, and more likely to have played with their child in the week prior to the survey. Conclusion Male’s participation in household tasks is associated with a general improvement in mother’s ANC behaviors. Implicit in these findings is that general primary education for both men and women has health benefits that transcend socioeconomic class and that future interventions aimed to engage males in household tasks may target older males with less education living in rural areas.

Gender and satisfaction of basic psychological needs: an exploratory study of pottery crafts in Latin America

“…Likewise, the literature shows a consensus that the participation rate of men in domestic chores has increased (Akanle et al, 2016). This is clearer in a study by Chahalis et al, (2021) in Tanzania, where it was found that male participation in household chores contributes to improved early childhood development. This is despite the fact that traditions often place men in charge of family finances.…”

“…The literature highlights an interesting watershed regarding gender aspects over time where it is shown that the roles of women and men have been diversifying and it is clear we are now observing a greater involvement of women in work activities and men in domestic activities (Anbacha and Kjosavik, 2021;Chahalis et al, 2021). Therefore, it is interesting to analyze the craft sector through the lens of expansionist theory to explain gender aspects in current times and provide elements that allow a greater understanding of this sector.…”

Fathers’ involvement in pregnancy and childbirth in Africa: an integrative systematic review

“…Men had reduced their household workload during their partners’ most recent pregnancies and were more likely to have played with their children in the week prior to the survey. Chahalis et al, 2021 [ 40 ] 4217 men, 4091 women Quality: 5 24 Husbands’ experience and perception of supporting their wives during childbirth in Tanzania. Qualitative To explore the experience and perceptions of husbands’ support for their wives during pregnancy, labour and delivery in Tanzania Tanzania Husbands who supported their partners during pregnancy and delivery saw themselves as modern since, at home, they undertook chores besides their usual tasks to allow their wives adequate time to rest during pregnancy.…”

The Impact of a Large-Scale Social and Behavior Change Communication Intervention in the Lake Zone Region of Tanzania on Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Related to Stunting Prevention

“…IMA partnered with Development Media International (DMI)-its partner in the development and implementation of radio and TV spots-to design and conduct baseline, midline, and endline surveys to inform program direction and to assess impact during, in the middle, and at the end of the program. Numerous studies exploring the associations of key health outcomes and exposure to core program elements and indicators at either baseline, midline, or endline have been published previously [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18]. Associations between knowledge of key health-promoting behaviors included in SBCC programming and stunting prevention have been significant [10,13,15].…”

“…In particular, a mother's exposure to the SBCC's IPC programming was positively associated with all measured ECD behaviors, including talking to, drawing with, counting with, naming objects with, and playing with your child. Similarly, previous analyses of ASTUTE data have also explored the impact of key SBCC programming related to male involvement, including maternal perceptions of the role of men during pregnancy [16] and associations between men's engagement in household chores and both maternal health and ANC-seeking behaviors [12]. However, to date, no study has provided a comprehensive analysis inclusive of both mass media and IPC programming using baseline, midline, and endline ASTUTE data.…”