Association of Male Partners’ Gender-Equitable Attitudes and Behaviors with Young Mothers’ Postpartum Family Planning and Maternal Health Outcomes in Kinshasa, DRC
Outcomes: Gender‑Based Violence, Sexual and Reproductive Health
View SourceKey Social Norms Take-aways Community and household norms around male involvement, decision-making, and caregiving shape reproductive and maternal health outcomes. Programs should challenge norms that restrict men’s roles to authority figures and promote shared caregiving and decision-making to support healthier, more equitable outcomes for young families.
Objectives This study explored how male partners’ gender-equitable attitudes and behaviors affect postpartum family planning (PPFP) and maternal and newborn health (MNH) outcomes among first-time mothers (FTMs) aged 15–24 in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. It also examined how these relationships vary based on marital status and prevailing social norms.
Methods Researchers used data from 1,335 FTM-male partner pairs who participated in baseline (2018) and endline (2020) surveys as part of the Momentum project. They assessed male partners’ attitudes using the Gender Equitable Men (GEM) scale and evaluated behaviors such as involvement in maternal health (MH), willingness to share caregiving, and participation in joint decision-making. Analyses used multivariable regression models, controlling for women’s agency, knowledge, and perceived social norms related to family planning and breastfeeding.
Intervention Details The Momentum project included community-based home visits and group education sessions led by trained nursing students. These sessions focused on family planning, maternal health, gender equality, and caregiving, targeting both FTMs and their male partners in six health zones of Kinshasa.
Results Male involvement in MH and caregiving was linked with increased discussion of family planning and higher rates of shared decision-making. Willingness to participate in caregiving and joint decisions also predicted exclusive breastfeeding. However, general gender-equitable attitudes (measured by GEM) were not consistently linked with health outcomes. Among unmarried mothers, male behaviors had stronger associations with family planning use. Additionally, social norms—especially perceived community approval of contraception—significantly influenced women’s use of postpartum family planning.
Conclusions Male partners’ supportive behaviors, particularly in caregiving and health-related decision-making, can positively influence young mothers’ health behaviors. Yet the impact varies by context and marital status. Gender-transformative efforts that engage men and shift community norms are critical for improving PPFP and MNH outcomes.
Norms Addressed
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