Promoting gender equity in a home visits programme: a qualitative study in Northern Nigeria

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Gender Studies
• Maternal Health

Background:

• Gender inequities significantly impact maternal health outcomes.
• Harmful gender norms, violence, and limited autonomy hinder women's access to care.
• A cluster randomized trial in Nigeria explored home visits to improve maternal and child health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To qualitatively evaluate the impact of a home visits program on gender equity.
• To understand participants' perceptions of gender equity within the intervention.
• To assess the role of male engagement in promoting gender equity in maternal healthcare.

Main Methods:

• Conducted key informant interviews with policymakers.
• Held focus group discussions with men, women, home visitors, supervisors, and community leaders.
• Utilized deductive thematic analysis based on a gender equity framework.

Main Results:

• Respondents perceived the home visits program positively impacted gender equity.
• Observed increased male support in household chores and maternal healthcare costs.
• Reported improved spousal communication and a reduction in domestic violence.

Conclusions:

• The implemented home visits program effectively contributed to advancing gender equity.
• Engaging male spouses was crucial for the program's success in promoting gender equity.
• The findings highlight the importance of gender-transformative approaches in maternal health interventions.