Men as Partners: Reaching Influencers Mame Niang, MD, MPH September 18, 2015

 Understanding our client means knowing her key influencers  Study questions: –Why do some male partners in Kinshasa support FP use while others oppose it? –How do gender dynamics affect FP use for women in union? Need for the study Kinshasa

 86 participants : –43 women “in union” in Kinshasa (aged years) –43 men “in union” in Kinshasa (with wives aged 18-39) Methodology Focus group discussions In-depth interviews Women modern FP users2 groups (13 women)6 women Women non-users2 groups (12 women)12 women Male partners of modern FP users 2 groups (10 men)12 men Male partners of non-users2 groups (11 men)10 men Total8 discussions with a total of 46 participants 40 interviews

 Know about modern FP  Think modern FP is effective  View birth spacing as beneficial  Are the head of the household  Most do not have time to visit health centers Results: Similarities among supportive and unsupportive male partners

Results: Differences between supportive and unsupportive male partners Male partners of FP users  Believe benefits of FP outweigh risks & side effects  Think FP enables harmony  May feel hurt and confused if FP used without his knowledge Male partners of FP non-users  Believe risks & side effects of FP outweigh benefits  Think FP enables infidelity  May resort to violence of divorce if FP used without his knowledge

Archetype of an unsupportive partner  Pablo, day laborer, age 38, 4 children  Desire spacing so that all children can attend school  Believes rumors that FP causes infertility  Fears that FP would allow his wife to cheat  Monitor his wife’s movement and use of money

Key Recommendations Do Engage religious leaders Encourage couple communication and joint decision-making Show benefits of modern FP Ensure that the ultimate choice to use a method is in the hands of the user Do Not Imply that coming to the health facility is the only way for a male partner to be engaged Focus message on the value of birth spacing Informed choice is critical! No need to preach to the choir!

Thank you  Study participants  USAID  IntraHealth  PSI/ASF