Male Involvement Research Articles

"There is nothing that can prevent me from supporting her:" men's perspectives on their involvement and support of women's use of topical therapy for cervical precancer treatment in Kenya.

Cervical cancer disproportionately impacts women in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The World Health Organization's (WHO) 90/70/90 strategy aims to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030 by increasing HPV vaccination coverage to 90%, screening 70% of eligible women, and effectively treating 90% of those with abnormal results by 2030, potentially preventing 62 million deaths in LMICs. LMICs, however, struggle with limited access to cervical precancer treatment, in part due to a lack of trained professionals and weak health systems. Effective non-surgical, self-administered, which have demonstrated efficacy in high-income countries, could bridge the treatment gap in LMICs and may be more scalable and cost-effective than provider-administered therapies. To inform feasibility studies in LMICs, data are needed on the role of male partners in influencing the acceptability and uptake of self-administered topical therapies, including their support of recommended abstinence and contraception guidelines associated with these therapies. Between November 2022 and April 2023, we conducted five focus group discussions (FGDs) with men aged 25 to 65 years in Kenya to explore their perspective and perceived support regarding their female partners using topical self-administered therapies for cervical precancer treatment. The FGDs were moderated by local qualitative research assistants and conducted in local languages, transcribed, coded, and analyzed using qualitative description. Thirty-nine male participants meeting the eligibility criteria participated in five FGDs. The mean age of participants was 42.5 years. Most participants, 79.5%, had a female partner with a history of cervical precancer treatment, 5.1% did not, and 15.4% were unsure of their female partner's prior precancer treatment history. The study aimed to assess men's support of their female partners' use of topical therapies for treating cervical precancer. We find that male participants strongly express acceptance and willingness to support their wives or partners in using such therapies, if available. Reported supportive behavior included permitting the use of the therapies and support of maintaining abstinence during the recommended times. Additionally, participants desired male involvement in clinic and community-based education about topical therapies to facilitate widespread support. The use of self-administered topical therapies for cervical precancer treatment, if supported by efficacy studies in LMICs, may support achieving the WHO's 2030 goal of 90% treatment access. We find that with adequate education, men express overwhelming support of their female partner's use of topical therapies, including adherence to abstinence and contraception guidelines.

Melanoma and sex hormones: Pathogenesis, progressive disease and response to treatments.

Cutaneous melanoma represents the fifth tumor in terms of incidence in young adults, with a major involvement of males than females. Despite the significant changes in available effective treatments for cutaneous melanoma, there is still a proportion of patients that do not benefit long-term disease control with immune checkpoint inhibitors and/or BRAF/MEK inhibitors, and eventually develop progressive disease. In addition to the emerging biomarkers under investigation to understand resistance to treatments, recent studies resumed the role of sex hormones (estrogens, progesterone and androgens) in melanoma patients. In the last decades, the impact of sex hormones has been considered controversial in melanoma patients, but actual growing preclinical and clinical evidence underline the potential influence on melanoma cells' growth, tumor microenvironment, the immune system and consequently on the course of disease.This review will provide available insights on the role of sex hormones in melanoma pathogenesis, disease progression and response/resistance to systemic treatments. We will also offer an overview on the recent studies on the theme, describing the hormonal contribution to disease response and the interaction with targeted therapies and immune-checkpoint inhibitors in cutaneous melanoma patients, illustrating an insight into future research in this field.

Future Prospects of the Human Familial Frame

Families composed of a male and a female that breed and jointly raise children is the consensual living frame of human societies during thousands of years. However, there are other frames among mammals, that enable breeding and multiplication without preservation of a familial unit. For example, males that fertilize females and do not participate in raising the newborns (e.g., hyenas, leopards, certain humans), or males having a few females and raising a larger number of children (the Arabic tradition), or on a broader scale in the animal kingdom, males that fertilize eggs outside of the female body (e.g., various fish species among vertebrates and many invertebrate species) without any considerable responsibility thereafter. Although females raise instinctively their offspring׳s among most animals, we witness in recent years different human versions of familial frames, such as two males, who either adopt children, or provide sperm to an anonymous woman that is paid for her pregnancy and birth of a child handled to the sperm contributor. Likewise are familial frames of two women, in which one gets pregnant from a sperm contribution, and after birth, both raise the child. These new trends show how deviation from the traditional familial frame may enable women to give birth and raise children without the involvement of males, as well as lead to ‘in vitro-fertilization’ and ‘production’ of ‘tube-babies’ (outside of the female uterus). Further attempts to control the required gender (e.g., preference of males in China), or even specific traits (e.g., blond hair, blue eyes) using genetic engineering techniques, might replace the customary familial frame.

Determinants of unmet need for family planning among currently married reproductive age women at Dewa Chefa District of Oromia special zone, Amhara region, Ethiopia, 2021; a case-control study

BackgroundUnmet need for family planning is a proportion of women among reproductive age group who want to stop or delay childbearing but are not using any method of contraception. One in ten married women face unmet need for family planning world-wide whereas, one in five women in Africa. Thus, by understanding factors associated with unmet need specific to the study area; the study contributes to planning and intervention of programs, gives additional finding for controversies in earlier studies, and also helps as a baseline for other researchers conducting studies on similar topics.MethodsA community-based unmatched case-control study was conducted from March 29-April 25, 2021 G.C on 462 currently married reproductive age women (154 cases and 308 controls) in Dewa Chefa District. Currently married reproductive-age women who were fecund, and wanted to limit or delay childbearing but were not using any contraceptive methods were taken as cases and currently married reproductive-age women who were using family planning or did not want to use were taken as controls. A structured and pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect data. Collected data were entered into Epi-data 3.1 and exported to SPSS 23 for analysis. Binary Logistic regression was conducted and variables with p-value < 0.05 were taken as statistically significant.ResultsA total of 462 women participated in this study, with 100% response rate. The mean age of the respondents was 27.92 years (with SD of ± 6.3) Age of woman 35–49 [AOR = 6.6 (1.1–39)], having poor knowledge on family planning [AOR = 1.9 (1.1–3.1)], using family planning decided by husband [AOR = 3.8 (2.1–6.9)], using family planning decided together [AOR = 2.3 (1.07–5.1)] and have no support and disapproval of husband for family planning use [AOR = 2.1 (1.08-4)] were factors significantly associated with unmet need.Conclusion and recommendationsAge of the woman, main decider of family planning use, knowledge about family planning and support and approval of spouse for family planning use were found to have significant association with unmet need for family planning. Thus, family planning providers, District health office, and other concerned bodies should strengthen female empowerment and male involvement in the program with strong couple counseling to reduce unmet need.

Cultural barriers to male partners' involvement in antenatal care in Limpopo province.

Participation of male partners in antenatal care (ANC) is a complicated process that involves social and behavioural transformation. It necessitates that males take a more active part in reproductive health. Men's participation in prenatal care has been linked to beneficial health outcomes such as enhanced maternal health outcomes across the world. However, culture has been identified as a barrier to male partners' participation in prenatal care. The aim of the study was to explore and describe the cultural barriers to male partner involvement in ANC. The study focussed on selected clinics and hospitals under Vhembe District, Limpopo province. Qualitative, exploratory, descriptive, and contextual research design was used in this study. Qualitative data were collected through individual semi-structured interviews and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). A thematic analysis approach was used to analyse the collected data from semi-structured interviews and FGDs. The findings revealed three themes: cultural beliefs and practices that affect male partners' involvement in ANC; gender-related barriers that affect male partners' involvement in ANC; and socioeconomic barriers to male partners' involvement in ANC. The study's findings revealed that certain cultural beliefs and practices are a stumbling block to male partners' involvement in antenatal healthcare. Culturally based developed strategy might help in improving the knowledge and practices of male partners in ANC.

Determinants of Induced Abortion Intention among Adolescents Seeking Youth-Friendly Services in Homa Bay County, Kenya

Background: Approximately 6.4 million women die because of unsafe abortion in Africa. Abortion contributes to 35% of maternal deaths nationally, out of these adolescents account for 17%. Homa Bay County is among the 15 high-burden counties in the country, which accounts for 97% of maternal deaths. Interestingly, 23% of the deaths are as a result of teenage pregnancy. The study aimed to determine the induced abortion intention among adolescents seeking youth-friendly services in Homa Bay County.&#x0D; Methods And Material: A cross-sectional was implemented for the study from April to June 2020. Systematic random sampling was used to select 332 participants among 1652 adolescents in the study areas. Data was collected through self-administered questionnaires. Univariate analysis, stepwise selection and multivariate logistic regression were employed to find determinants of induced abortion intention. The study was approved by the Ethical Review Committee of Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMU/COR: 509099) and NACOSTI offered a research permit NACOSTI/P/20/4496.&#x0D; Results: The study revealed a significant association between induced abortion intention and being multiparous (OR: 0.064; 95% CI: 0.005-0.918: p= 0.028). The current study found a strong association between adolescents' belief that their physical health reduces the likelihood of pregnancy from unprotected sex. Respondents who had a low perception of physical health were susceptible and had higher odds of having induced abortion intention. Similarly, the respondents who agreed that they do not talk to their partners about pregnancy were thrice as likely to have had induced abortion intention (OR: 3.2; 95% CI: 1.7- 6.1: p= 0.0002). In addition, those who believed that if they continued with the pregnancy their academic career would be endangered were 4.3 times as likely to have had induced abortion intention (OR: 4.3: 95% CI: 2.2 – 8.1; p &lt; 0.0001).&#x0D; Conclusion: In this study, induced abortion intention was significant among adolescents who had a misinformed perception of their physical health and chances of getting pregnant even if they practised unprotected sex, lacked disclosure to partners and were urged not to discontinue their career and profession. Governments should embrace and operationalize multisectoral and pre-counselling approaches coupled with comprehensive sexual reproductive health education in and out of school in Adolescents programs. Similarly, Adolescent' programs should scale up male involvement.

Pattern and determinants of contraceptive use among the muslim women in Wajir and Lamu counties in Kenya: a cross-sectional study.

Improving access to family planning (FP) is associated with positive health benefits that includes averting nearly a third of all maternal deaths and 10% of childhood deaths. Kenya has made great strides in improving access to family planning services. However, amid this considerable progress, regional variation has been noted which begs the need for a clearer understanding of the the patterns and determinants that drive these inconsistencies. We conducted a cross-sectional study that involved 663 Muslim women of reproductive age (15-49 years) from Wajir and Lamu counties in Kenya between March and October 2018.The objective of this study was to understand patterns and determinants of contraceptive use in two predominantly Muslim settings of Lamu and Wajir counties that have varying contraceptive uptake. Eligible women were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire containing socio-demographic information and history of family planning use. Simple and multiple logistic regression were used to identify determinants of family planning use. The results were presented as Crude Odds Ratio (COR) and Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) ratios at 95% confidence interval. A p-value of 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Of the 663 Muslim women of reproductive age consenting to participate in the study, 51.5%, n = 342 and 48.5%, n = 321 were from Lamu and Wajir County, respectively. The prevalence of women currently using contraceptive was 18.6% (n = 123). In Lamu, the prevalence was 32.8%, while in Wajir, it was 3.4%. The determinants of current contraceptive use in Lamu include; marital status, age at marriage, employment status, discussion with a partner on FP, acceptability of FP in culture, and willingness to obtain information on FP. While in Wajir, determinants of current contraceptive use were education, and the belief that family planning is allowed in Islam. Our study found moderately high use of contraceptives among Muslim women of reproductive age in Lamu county and very low contraceptive use among women in Wajir. Given the role of men in decision making, it is critical to design male involvement strategy particularly in Wajir where the male influence is very prominent. It is critical for the government to invest in women and girls' education to enhance their ability to make informed decisions; particularly in Wajir where FP uptake is low with low education attainment. Further, our findings highlight the need for culturally appropriate messages and involvement of religious leaders to demystify the myths and misconception around family planning and Islam particularly in Wajir.

Sperm Switch: A New Trend in Reducing Maternal Mortality

The study looked at the emerging practice of switching sperm to reduce maternal mortality in Ekiti State. Secondary data from the chosen health facilities in Ekiti State was used in the study. The major beneficiaries of family planning programs have historically been women, and men have been seen as the services' invisible partners. The study's ideas included male involvement in family planning, the effect caused by sperm switching on family planning, its difficulties, ways to use sperm switching to lower maternal death rates, and the responsibilities of midwives and the government in the process. The study's implications for nursing practice are that nurses and midwives undergoing training should be able to apply the sperm switch approach, and nurses should conduct additional research on new trends in family planning, particularly sperm switching, as well as the advantages of male involvement in family planning. The suggestion is that political commitment, priorities, effective governance, and enough financing should be given top priority. In addition, men should receive advice regarding the reversibility of the sperm switch method, and more awareness should be raised regarding the sperm switch strategy's positive effects on health when used with male contraceptives for family planning.

Immigrant men 's perceptions and experiences of accompanying their partner for contraceptive counselling provided by midwives in Sweden- a qualitative study.

Male involvement in maternal health care has proven to be beneficial for improving maternal and child health and is often crucial in areas of family planning and contraceptive use. However, compared to male involvement in maternal health care, male involvement in contraceptive counselling is complex and controversial and thus faces certain challenges. Immigrant men in Sweden are often accompanying their partner for contraceptive counselling. Little is known about their presence and role. To explore how immigrant men from the Middle East and Afghanistan perceive and experience accompanying their partner for contraceptive counselling provided by midwives in Sweden. Inductive qualitative content analysis guided the interpretation of data based on 21 individual in-depth interviews. Balancing conflicting values and norms about sexual and reproductive health and rights including family planning was challenging and confusing when living in Sweden. Contraceptive counselling was perceived as a joint visit, and men were often acting as decision makers. The midwife's role as a contraceptive counsellor was perceived as trusted, but knowledge was lacking about the Swedish midwifery model and the Swedish healthcare system. Providers' ways of communicating sensitive information were crucial. Without marriage contraceptive counselling was unthinkable. Highlighting male engagement and including men's sexual and reproductive health at policy levels are necessary for improving women's sexual and reproductive health and rights. Additional and new ways of contraceptive counselling and midwifery services, such as outreach work and joint visits, are needed in order to reach both men and women.

Determinants for male involvement in family planning and contraception in Nakawa Division, Kampala, Uganda; An urban slum qualitative study.

Current evidence shows that male involvement in family planning (FP) is crucial to women's contraceptive use decisions. This study explored the reasons for male involvement in FP and contraception in slum areas in Nakawa Division, Kampala, Uganda. A qualitative study was conducted among sexually active males in a slum area in Nakawa Division, Kampala. A purposive sampling technique was utilised to recruit 40 men for a Focus Group Discussion (FGDs), and 2 key informants (KI) for critical perspective interviews. A semi-structured FGDs and interview guides were used to collect the data. The FGDs were conducted in both English and the local language, Luganda. All interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts for both FGDs and KI interviews were imported into the NVivo Qualitative Data Analysis Software version 10 application, and thematic data analysis was conducted. The findings show that males' involvement in FP and its decisions were minimal. The findings also show that several factors emerged as contributing to male's participation in FP and utilisation of contraceptives. Inadequate understanding of FP and contraceptives, lack of clarity on males' role in FP, unfriendly healthcare environment and community members' perceptions of male involvement in FP were reported as reasons contributing to male participation in FP and contraction. There is limited involvement of males in FP. There is a need for renewed efforts that will positively alter the factors that impact male involvement favourably. Promotion and education about FP for males will significantly address issues of limited understanding and clarity of males' role in FP services.

Male Partner Involvement in Pregnancy-Related Care in Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Maternal mortality remains a significant public health concern in developing countries, including Pakistan, with a substantial portion attributed to pregnancy-related causes. The pivotal role played by male partners in providing support and addressing pregnancy-related complications faced by women cannot be overstated. Objective: This study aimed to assess the level of male partner involvement in pregnancy-related care. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Peshawar district, involving 271 mothers selected from Hayatabad Medical Complex. Ethical approval was obtained from the institute, and consent was secured from all participants. Data collection was carried out using a validated questionnaire. Results: The majority of participants (59.4%) fell within the 30 to 40 age group. Among them, 82.7% identified as housewives, and 61.3% had no formal education. Encouragingly, 74% of respondents reported a high level of male partner involvement in pregnancy-related care, while 26% indicated limited involvement. Conclusion: This study underscores the positive trend of male partners actively participating in the care of expectant mothers. However, it also highlights the ongoing need for targeted counseling and education programs to further enhance their engagement in pregnancy-related care.

A scoping review of qualitative studies on sexual and reproductive health and rights in Uganda: Exploring factors at multiple levels.

Uganda is burdened by high unintended and teen pregnancies, high sexually transmitted infections, and harm caused by unsafe abortion. Explore factors influencing sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in Uganda by synthesizing evidence from qualitative studies using a scoping review. Original qualitative peer-reviewed research studies published between 2002 and 2023 in any language exploring factors influencing SRHR in Uganda. Eight databases searched using qualitative/mixed methods search filters and no language limits. Information extracted included author, article title, publication year, study aims, participant description, data collection type, sample size, main findings, factors at the individual, interpersonal, community, and policy levels, implications for SRHR in Uganda, and study limitations. Quality of the selected articles was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme tool. One hundred seventy-three studies met inclusion criteria. At the individual level, knowledge and attitudes toward SRHR, risky sexual behavior, and access to maternal SRHR services were identified as critical factors influencing health outcomes. Interpersonal factors included communication with sexual partners and relationships with family, school, and community members. Healthcare organization factors included adolescent access to education, SRHR services, and HIV prevention. Cultural and social factors included gendered norms and male involvement in SRHR. Policy-level factors included the importance of aligning policy and practice. Multiple factors at individual, interpersonal, community, healthcare, cultural, and policy levels were found to influence SRHR in Uganda. The findings suggest that interventions targeting multiple levels of the socio-ecological system may be necessary to improve SRHR outcomes. This review highlights the need for a holistic approach that considers the broader socio-ecological context. Reducing identified gaps in the literature, particularly between policy and practice related to SRHR, is urgently needed in Uganda. We hope this review will inform the development of policies and interventions to improve SRHR outcomes.

"A Man With a Loving Heart": A Systematic Review of Male Involvement in Cervical Cancer Screening in Africa.

This review assessed men's involvement and the predictors of their involvement in cervical cancer screening. We conducted a comprehensive search of the following electronic databases: PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, African, Web of Science, and Scopus. The search was limited to articles published between January 2010 and January 2023. A total of 17 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included for this review. More than 50% of the studies emphasised the relevance of male involvement in cervical cancer prevention in Africa and demonstrated the critical importance of this as a strategy. The results revealed that a significant proportion of male participants had a restricted comprehension of cervical cancer. Nevertheless, they expressed their willingness to provide backing for cervical cancer screening contingent upon their informed consent.

Investigating Determinants Influencing Contraceptive Adoption Among Third-Year Medical Students: A Study at KIU-WC Bushenyi District, Western Uganda

This study assessed the prevalence and factors influencing contraceptive usage among 377 third-year medical students through a descriptive cross-sectional approach. Utilizing qualitative and quantitative data analyzed via SPSS, findings revealed compelling insights. Of the sampled students, 78.5% were sexually active, with 58.7% utilizing contraceptives while 38.0% did not. Most (73.1%) were unmarried, while 25.7% were married. Regarding contraceptive knowledge, 94% were aware, with 81.7% knowing how to use and 91.1% aware of access points. Information sources varied: 44.3% from school, 35.4% from healthcare providers, and 10.6% from media. While 52.3% knew about conception timing, barriers to optimal knowledge persisted, notably concerning emergency and rhythm methods. Despite a positive attitude towards contraceptive use (95.7% believing it necessary), nuances emerged. For instance, 54.3% agreed on male involvement in contraceptive decisions, while 42.0% disagreed. The study highlights the prevailing 58.7% contraceptive prevalence among thirdyear medical students, showcasing reasonable awareness and positive attitudes. However, gaps in knowledge, especially regarding specific methods, persist, alongside barriers related to efficacy, side effects, and misconceptions about sexual activity. Addressing these gaps could enhance comprehensive understanding and promote informed contraceptive choices among this demographic. Keywords: Contraceptive use, Third-year Medical Students, Contraceptive methods, Sexual intercourse, Side effects of the methods.

Practice of Family Planning Methods by the Eligible Couple in the Rajshahi City Corporation Area

This study investigates family planning practices among eligible couples in the urban setting of Rajshahi City Corporation, Bangladesh. The research aims to determine the prevalence and demographic factors associated with family planning, as well as the types and sources of family planning methods, decision-making processes, and challenges faced. Data was collected through a cross-sectional study, with 300 eligible couples participating. The findings reveal a commendable prevalence of family planning practices (88.0%) in the area, reflecting accessible and effective reproductive health services. Notably, a significant association was found between the sex of respondents and family planning practices (χ²= 25.549, p&lt;0.001), with a higher percentage of females (88.2%) actively practicing family planning. Female partners played a central role in decision-making, and small family sizes with shorter age gaps between children were observed. Challenges related to side effects (87.2%) and method-related problems highlighted the need for targeted interventions. Enhancing awareness and education programs, strengthening counseling services, and promoting male involvement. Collaboration with NGOs and healthcare providers is suggested to improve family planning services in urban settings, contributing to healthier demographics in Rajshahi City Corporation. These significant statistics underscore the importance of tailored strategies to enhance family planning practices in urban areas.

A bangladesi diákok cukorbetegséggel, magas vérnyomással, fizikai aktivitással és étkezési szokásokkal kapcsolatos ismeretei: Egy keresztmetszeti vizsgálat

INTRODUCTION: Knowledge about non-communicable diseases among college students has not been explored in Bangladesh, which is a growing concern for the country. This study aims to explore the knowledge level of two common non-communicable diseases: diabetes and hypertension, among college students. This study also aimed to explore the patterns of physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and eating habits among them. The overall findings based on this study will provide a good source of information for implementing any intervention if required in the future. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 651 students aged between 14 and 17 years with a self-administered questionnaire between March and May 2019 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Descriptive studies, chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression analysis were done according to the association of the variables. All data were analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software, version 20. RESULTS: The study reported that 60.4% of students belonged to the older (16+ years) age group. 66.2% of students were from the science faculty. 51% of students had normal BMI though female BMI was slightly higher than male (51.1% vs. 50.8%). Underweight was more prevalent among females (30.6% vs. 24.6%) and overweight was more prevalent among male students (24.6% vs. 18.3%). Knowledge on diabetes was slightly higher compared to hypertension though most of the correct answers in both disease knowledge came from science faculty students. Binary logistic regression analysis showed diabetes knowledge of business faculty students was 60% less (OR = 0.4; 95% CI = 0.3-0.7; P = 0.001) and arts faculty students was 60% less (OR = 0.4; 95% CI = 0.2-0.9; P &lt; 0.05) comparing with science faculty students. It was found that males were more likely to participate in outdoor physical activities such as walking (74.2% vs. 62.7%), cycling (17.8% vs. 1.7%), and sports (39.8% vs. 5.8%) compared to females. However, females were found to have a higher participation rate in household chores at 75.7% while males had a participation rate of 62.3%. Female students spent more time on sedentary behavior than male students: sitting (89.4% vs. 78%); using social media (88.2% vs. 74.2%); watching YouTube (96.1% vs. 87.3%). The breakfast intake rate was higher among male students than female students (73.3% vs. 51.5%) and the skipping rate was higher among female students (48.9% vs. 26.7%). The situation was the same for lunch and supper intake. However, the fast-food consumption rate was slightly higher among male than female students (78.4% vs. 73.5%). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the study reported overall knowledge of diabetes and hypertension was good among students though most of the correct answers came from science faculty students compared to the other group. Male involvement in outdoor physical activity was significantly higher than female students but, female students spent more time on sedentary behaviour. Male students had a higher prevalence of regular meal intake than female students. However, male students also showed more prevalence of fast-food consumption and overweight status. The findings of this study could be useful for designing appropriate health promotion interventions.

Father involvement in a comprehensive elementary school: building capacity and understanding

PurposeAs part of a larger grant-funded project, a professional development (PD) series was conducted within the framework of a school–university partnership to improve teachers’ capacity to meaningfully include fathers and father figures in the school environment, with a particular focus on fathers of children with disabilities. The authors sought to understand the extent to which a school-wide PD framed through the lens of a father of a child with a disability might inform practice with sustainable implementation. Due to the pandemic, the original format of the PD was redesigned for virtual delivery.Design/methodology/approachA three-phase data collection and analysis approach included a pre-PD survey, a post-PD survey and a one-year follow-up survey. All surveys included both quantitative and qualitative self-report data components.FindingsResults suggest school personnel found the virtual PD valuable, gleaning several useful strategies for reflecting on their own practices, working to improve communication with families of children with disabilities and more meaningfully including fathers and father figures in future school-related activities and programing.Research limitations/implicationsFirst, the sample size of the present study was small, and participation was variable across PD sessions. In addition, participants self-selected into the series, and therefore, they may be more likely to value father-figure involvement with or without participation in the PD series. The small sample size may minimize the generalizability of these results across other replicable settings and participants. Second, the results of the pre-PD survey could be positively skewed since the university partner’s initial delivery of PD related to this topic began in 2018. In the pre-PD survey, the majority of respondents indicated, as an example, that they believed father involvement was correlated with higher academic achievement. It is not clear if respondents held these beliefs independently at the inception of the partnership or if they perhaps learned of these connections during an earlier PD offered by the authors.Practical implicationsThe current study offers a small glimpse into the world of a school–university partnership and its ability to actualize meaningful reflection on family engagement practices. Results also indicate a greater awareness of significant male figures/fathers and their needs. Content delivered during each PD supports capacity building in terms of teachers’ ability to see fathers and father figures as meaningful contributors within the context of the school environment. Participants mentioned that the PD taught them ways to recognize and remediate some of the insidious communication barriers that exist.Social implicationsParticipants stated that they grew in their understanding of intentional connections with significant male figures, noting a concerted effort to ensure communication of information pertaining to school events, conferences and, in some cases, individualized educational programs (IEPs). Staff members also felt as though the pandemic fostered greater connections with fathers who were working at home and who were simultaneously helping their children access online learning platforms. However, it is noteworthy that the latter benefit was likely a positive side effect of mandatory home-based learning as opposed to a direct result of the present study. Socially, the authors all find ourselves embarking on a bit of social uncertainty, where perhaps it is no longer appropriate or significant to mention one's gender. Nonetheless, the research highlights the unique contributions that fathers and father figures can make to children's positive trajectory, and the authors espouse that the current study suggests that virtual PD sessions can help train school personnel to recognize and foster such relationships.Originality/valueThe past few decades have ushered in an awareness of significant male involvement and its importance in the development of young children. Despite this surge of interest, the research on father/significant male involvement in the school context remains limited. Additionally, the implementation of virtual PD and its potential positive impacts remain largely unexplored, especially when the intersection with father engagement practices is considered. As such, the authors espouse that the present study reflects a unique combination of content and pedagogy.

Men's Essential roles in the Management of Sickle Cell Anemia

Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is a hereditary blood disorder characterized by the presence of abnormal hemoglobin, leading to the deformation of red blood cells and subsequent health complications. While much research has focused on the clinical aspects of SCA, this paper aims to shed light on the crucial and multifaceted roles that men play in the comprehensive management of this condition. Men, as integral members of families and communities, contribute significantly to the support systems necessary for effective SCA management. From a biological standpoint, understanding the genetic inheritance of SCA requires an exploration of paternal contributions. Moreover, men are often primary decision-makers in families, influencing choices related to healthcare, treatment modalities, and lifestyle adjustments. This paper discusses the importance of men's active involvement in genetic counseling, family planning, and fostering a supportive environment for individuals living with SCA. Psychosocially, men play essential roles as emotional anchors and caregivers, providing crucial support to family members coping with the challenges of SCA. This study explores the impact of male involvement on the mental well-being of both patients and their caregivers. Additionally, it investigates the role of men in community awareness programs, challenging stigmas associated with SCA and promoting a more inclusive and understanding society. Economically, the burden of managing SCA can be substantial. Men often serve as primary earners, and their financial contributions are pivotal in ensuring access to quality healthcare, medications, and educational resources for individuals with SCA. In NEWPORT INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC AND EXPERIMENTAL SCIENCES (NIJSES) Volume 4 Issue 2 2023 ©NIJSES Publications Open Access ONLINE ISSN: 2992-5819 PRINT ISSN: 2992-6149 Obeagu et al., 2023 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited Page | 21 conclusion, this comprehensive perspective highlights the indispensable roles that men play in the management of sickle cell anemia. Recognizing and harnessing these contributions can lead to more effective strategies for addressing the complex challenges associated with SCA, fostering holistic well-being for individuals, families, and communities affected by this genetic disorder.

Intention to Use Postpartum Contraceptive and Its Determinants in Sub-Saharan Africa: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The postpartum period is a critical moment for the delivery of family planning services. However, the utilization of family planning among women in sub-Saharan Africa is not optimal. Therefore, the current study aims to assess the intention to use postpartum contraception and its related determinants in the sub-Saharan African setting. This study utilized a comprehensive search strategy that involved searching several databases, including PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and online research institutional repository homes. Data extraction was performed using Microsoft Excel, and statistical analysis was conducted using STATA software (version 14). To assess publication bias, a forest plot, Begg's rank test, and Egger's regression test were employed. Heterogeneity was evaluated using the I2 statistic, and an overall estimated analysis was conducted. In addition, sensitivity analysis was performed to examine the impact of each study on the overall estimate. Meta-regression analysis was conducted to identify potential sources of heterogeneity. Finally, the pooled odds ratio (OR) for associated factors was calculated. After reviewing 1,321 articles, 14 studies were deemed eligible for inclusion in this meta-analysis. The final analysis comprised a total of 39,936 study participants. The overall intention to use postpartum contraception in sub-Saharan Africa was found to be 62.21% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 55.532-68.875). In subgroup analysis, the highest prevalence of intention was observed in Ethiopia (66.71%; 95% CI: 50.36-83.05), while the lowest prevalence was reported in Ghana (59.39%; 95% CI: 50.22-68.57). The intention to use contraception was found to be 67.22% (95% CI: 62.37-72.07) and 54.53% (95% CI: 46.61-62.45) for institutional and community-based studies, respectively. Maternal educational status (OR = 1.22; 95% CI: 1.09-1.38) and husbands' approval of contraceptive use (OR = 2.395; 95% CI: 1.256-4.567) were identified as predictors of intention to use postpartum contraception. In conclusion, the results of our study show a comparatively low intention toward the use of postpartum contraception, in contrast to findings reported in other countries. As such, we recommend that stakeholders prioritize maternal education and encourage male partner involvement in family planning decisions.

Factors Associated with Male Partner Involvement in Maternity Care in Mbeya, Tanzania.

Male partner involvement in maternity care is critical to improving neonatal and maternal health by reducing maternal mortality, particularly in settings where males play a significant role in decision-making. This study aimed to assess factors associated with male partners involvement in maternity care in Mbeya, Tanzania. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among men in Mbeya City, Tanzania, from April to June 2021. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect information from participants. Male involvement level was measured as low, moderate or high. X2 test and multinomial logistic regression models were applied to determine association between male involvement levels and related factors. A total of 201 males participated in the study. The overall level of male involvement during antenatal care, labour and delivery and postnatal care indicated that 44 (21.7%) had a high level of involvement, 116 (58%) had a moderate level of involvement and 41 (20.3%) had a low level of involvement. Demographic and health facilities factors indicated a significant association with male partner level of participation (P<.001). The likelihood of a man accompanying the partner was significantly associated with staff attitude and the time spent at the health facility (AOR 1.726 at 95% CI 1,394-2.136 P<.001). Findings indicated a generally moderate level of male partner involvement as a critical concern that can accelerate the decline in maternal mortality and improve maternal health. Enhancing the male-friendliness of health facilities in terms of infrastructure, organisation of services and staff attitudes, as well as educating the community, particularly men, to sensitise them to the negative attitudes toward male participation in maternity care, can increase male participation.