Understanding Gender-Based Perception During Pregnancy: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Purpose Gender-based perceptions about maternal health care during pregnancy draw attention to the existence of gender inequity in maternal health care. This study aimed to understand the gender-based perception of gender roles and norms, gender relations, social support, and psychosocial variation in maternal health care during pregnancy. Methods A qualitative study was conducted in three rural districts of Jimma, Ethiopia. Participants were purposefully chosen from the community groups, including male and female health development armies, religious leaders, health extension workers, midwifery nurses, and primary health care unit directors. The data was gathered through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. The actual data was collected by men and women qualitative study experts. Atlas ti Ver 9 was used for the analysis. The data was initially coded then changed to a sub-category and at last converted to a category. Results Four categories emerged: Gender-based roles and norms, psychosocial variation, social support, and gender relations. The informants described men’s and women’s independent and shared roles improve maternal health care service usage during pregnancy. Once the women became pregnant, men undertook a variety of demanding duties to enhance maternity service consumption. Gender relations and shared decision-making were essential in facilitating maternal healthcare utilization during pregnancy and beyond. Conclusion This study revealed that maternal health care should not be limited to women alone. Men’s and women’s prior maternal health experiences, in addition to their knowledge and beliefs, have significantly impacted the utilization of maternal healthcare services during pregnancy. Policymakers and academics should consider men’s essential contribution to maternal health care during pregnancy. However, in order to increase their intention to use maternal health care services, it is necessary to clearly identify the interests of women in which men should be involved.

Sex Disparities: Couple’s Knowledge and Attitude Towards Obstetric Danger Signs and Maternal Health Care: in Rural Jimma Zone of Ethiopia

“… 34 The two most frequently identified danger signs during pregnancy by the majority of the males and the females participants were severe weakness and headache, in which males were more knowledgeable of the former and females were the latter danger sign; males more knowledge may be associated with females involvement in the household activity commonly decreased during pregnancy and this could be easily identified by the males participants as well as males household chores increased. In contrast, the females became pregnant, 32 similar to the study in Kenya, 18 but not mentioned at all by the women in Ethiopia, Aleta Wendo. 26 In contrast, women in Shashemene 14 Angolela Tera district, 35 Aleta Wondo, 26 Goba, 27 and men in Burayu.…”

“…The qualitative study of the same study area explained that high-income females were less interested in visiting the health facility during pregnancy, assuming they could do anything at any time if they faced health problems that might reduce to get obstetric danger signs health information from the health facilities. 32 However, contradicting the Meta-Analysis study in Ethiopia, 37 this may be a previous experience of the participants and their parents and the accessibility of the health facility. Female mobile phones had reduced good danger sign knowledge by 43%, whereas male mobile phones increased by 1.17 times good danger sign knowledge.…”

“…During pregnancy, most health professionals provide obstetric health information. 32 In contrast, females continue to identify and recognize unusual manifestations during and after delivery and continue maternal health communication with health professionals.…”

“…A qualitative study of the same study area explored economically better individuals showed less interest in utilizing regular maternal health care. 32 Both females and males listening to the radio at least once per day and evaluated the maternal health facility as good, the likelihood of knowing at least two danger signs increased, which is similar to the study in Ethiopia Meta-Analysis, 37 female who evaluated the quality of the maternal health care, and exposed to media had a better danger sign knowledge, this may be associated with the more the quality of the health care the more it motivates the female and exposed to media have increased to get more health information to give value for themselves and their children.…”

The Impact of Stress and Social Determinants on Diet in Cardiovascular Prevention in Young Women

“…Furthermore, the consensus document introduces and underlines the importance of the three pillars: stress/resilience, social determinants, and structural policies [20]. These determinants encompass aspects such as mental well-being, socio-economic factors, and access to healthcare and resources, which can influence an individual's overall health and well-being [20,[23][24][25][26]. Stress, anxiety, and depression experienced by mothers during pregnancy harm the development of the fetus and increase the risk of cognitive, behavioral, and emotional difficulties in offspring [27].…”