Promoting male involvement has been linked with increased partners support to women in seeking for antenatal care services, improving home nutrition related practices and women involvement in relevant decision making. Studies have linked male involvement in maternal and child health and nutrition services to better reproductive and nutrition outcomes. Lishe Endelevu is implementing strategies to mobilize and engage men to support and care for their families (children and female partners). These interventions intend to improve care-seeking behaviours among pregnant and lactating women, promote nutritional home practices, and couple communication.
This study aims to understand the uptake, effectiveness and the factors influencing the male involvement strategy in improving care-seeking behaviour, nutritional practices, home care practices and couple relationships for better maternal, new-born child health and nutrition outcomes. It specifically, intends to: examine/assess uptake of interventions designed to increase male involvement; identify influencing factors; determine the effect of male support group strategy on care seeking behaviour, nutritional practices, home care practices and couple relationships; and determine coverage and existing gaps affecting implementation of male involvement strategy in improving maternal and child health and nutrition practices.