A multi-sectoral approach to male involvement in family planning and reproductive health focusing on optimal birth spacing

1
A multi-sectoral approach to male involvement in
family planning and reproductive health focusing
on optimal birth spacing
American Public Health Association 133rd Annual
Meeting Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 2005
Manal Eid, B.A., M.A.
2
Session Objectives

• Present TAHSEENs approaches for engaging men in
  FP/RH issues, with specific emphasis on OBSI
• Share results of the interventions promoting
  male involvement in FP/RH

3
TAHSEEN Integrated Model
Improving quality of care
Community mobilization
Contributing to long-term sustainability
4
TAHSEENs Rationale for Involving Men in FP/RH

• Decision makers and opinion leaders
• Working with men
• Impacts not only men themselves, but also the
  entire family, and community
• Changes deeply-rooted beliefs and norms
• Peer-to-peer effect

5
(No Transcript)
6
How does TAHSEEN Involve Men in FP/RH

• Advocacy for male involvement in FP/RH issues
• Training on gender and rights, medical aspects of
  FP/RH issues, couple communication
• Community Mobilization through outreach programs,
  plays, puppet shows, seminars, IPCetc.

7
What is OBSI?

• Optimal Birth Spacing Interval (OBSI) is the
  ideal time period between births
• Evidence to date suggests that a 3-5 year
  interval between consecutive births is being
  associated with the most favorable outcomes for
  pregnancies, infants, children and mothers
• (Rutstein 2003, Agudelo 2002, Population Report
  2002)

8
TAHSEENs Male Involvement Models

• Religious leaders
• Literacy facilitators
• Agricultural/irrigation
  extension workers
• Peer educators
• Community leaders
• Mothakaf sokany (population outreach workers)
• Media professionals
• Transportation workers

9
Involving Religious Leaders Why?

• Considered to be the soul of the village and
  trustworthy
• Reach a large proportion of the population
  through their weekly sermons
• Opinion and attitude shapers

10
Improvement of Religious Leaders' OBSI Knowledge
Beni Suef, Fayoum and Minia Governorates
11
(No Transcript)
12
Involving Literacy Facilitators Why?

• 36.4 of Egyptian males are illiterate
• Egypt has a strong national literacy program
• Illiterate men have never been reached with FP/RH
  messages
• UNDP HDR 2003

13
OBSI Knowledge for Literacy Students
14
(No Transcript)
15
Involving Agricultural Extension Workers (AEW)
Why?

• 57.9 of Egypts population is rural
• AEW reach approximately 40,000 farmers/month
• Existing strong and widespread outreach program
  for farmers
• AEW have direct personal communication linkages
  with farmers
• UNDP 2002 POSAR

16
OBSI Knowledge of Farmers
(N1000)
17
(No Transcript)
18
Impact on practice
FP Method Users
39 Increase
Source Five Prototype Clinics in Mina Governorate
19
Improved couple communication
Women discussing FP with their husbands
Source Household Survey in Minia, Fayoum and
Beni Suef, July 2005 all women n1000, low-parity
women (npre 214 and post 266)
20
Lessons Learned

• Government/policy support is crucial
• Building on already existing strong networks
  within local communities increased the programs
  success
• Comprehensive integrated approach vs. single
  intervention
• Skilled male facilitators are critical
• Focus on gender relations is crucial

21
Challenges

• Sustainability
• Developing partnership and trust with male
  champions
• Developing a cadre of skilled intermediaries

22
Conclusion

• Adopting a multi-sectoral approach to involving
  men and providing them with the same messages
  builds the supportive environment that is needed
  to improve the RH knowledge and practice of the
  community at large.

23
Thank you