Understanding Gender-Based Perception During Pregnancy: A Qualitative Study.

Area of Science:

• Sociology
• Public Health
• Gender Studies

Background:

• Gender-based perceptions highlight inequity in maternal healthcare.
• Understanding gender roles and norms is vital for effective maternal health strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore gender-based perceptions of roles, norms, relations, social support, and psychosocial factors in maternal healthcare during pregnancy.
• To identify how gender dynamics influence the utilization of maternal health services.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study in three rural districts of Jimma, Ethiopia.
• In-depth interviews and focus group discussions with diverse community members and health professionals.
• Thematic analysis using Atlas.ti software.

Main Results:

• Four key categories emerged: gender-based roles and norms, psychosocial variation, social support, and gender relations.
• Men's active involvement and shared decision-making with women significantly improved maternal healthcare usage during pregnancy.
• Independent and shared roles of men and women positively impacted maternal health service utilization.

Conclusions:

• Maternal healthcare is a shared responsibility, not solely a woman's domain.
• Men's experiences, knowledge, and beliefs significantly impact maternal healthcare utilization.
• Policymakers should integrate men's contributions into maternal health strategies and identify specific areas for male involvement to enhance service uptake.