“He lets me go although he does not go with me.”: Rwandan women’s perceptions of men’s roles in maternal health

Abstract Background Increasing men’s involvement in their pregnant partners’ wellness has been reported as one of the ways to improve access and utilization maternal health services, including birth preparedness complication readiness. Men can play meaningful roles support systems that women need achieve better outcomes. In Rwanda, men take vary, resulting diverse expectations responsibilities during this critical time. study, we aimed examine views, perspectives, experiences on how impacts services. Methods We conducted 21 interviews with recently-pregnant gain an understanding views facilitating pregnancy. Interviews were across five Rwandan districts both rural urban settings country. Data analysis was guided by a thematic approach. This started independent transcript review investigators, after which meeting held discuss emergent themes identify potential codes. A coding scheme created transcripts coded NVIVO™ software according conceptual practical topics formed care. Results Three key emerged analytic process categorize specific health: 1) involves assisting getting or attending appointments jointly men; 2) supporting women’s decisions, wherein decisions make regard healthcare number ways; 3) evaluating information, gathering information from multiple sources, especially community workers, assist making informed decisions. Conclusion three types health, are experienced differently women. Interventions involving encouraged increase implications without compromising autonomy decision-making promote positive