The effect of an educational intervention programme on reproductive health: decision-making among couples in south west Nigeria

Abstract

Context: Decision making process in reproductive health in Sub-Saharan Africa is a complex activity dictated by the customs, religious beliefs, socio-economic factors, and cultural innovations. The central role played by men in this process gives a strong justification for health education intervention with a primary focus on men.


Objective: To find out how educational intervention programme will influence reproductive health decision making among couples.


Study Design: This is a quasi-experimental study among couples in 3 towns in Osun State (Ode-Omu, Ejigbo and Otan-Ayegbaju) of Nigeria. Ode-Omu and Ejigbo served as the intervention towns while Otan-Ayegbaju served as the control. The study had 3 phases: baseline survey lasting 3 months, intervention phase of 12 months and postintervention period of 3 months.


Interventions: Imparting information and educating members of the community on issues related to reproductive health with emphasis on the role of men using posters, handbills, public lectures, workshops and films.


Main Outcome Measures: Decision making on and timing of pregnancy, seeking of post-abortion care, and husbands' support of wives during pregnancy.


Results: After the intervention, more couples took joint decisions on timing of pregnancies; more husbands supported their wives during pregnancy and seeking of post-abortion care increased significantly in the intervention towns.


Conclusion: Enlightenment of men is a faster and effective short-term measure to improve women's utilization of reproductive health resources.


Keywords: men's role, reproductive health, decision-making


Tropical Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Vol. 22(1) 2005: 4-8