This study seeks to assess the impact of the MenCare+/Bandebereho fathers'/couples' group education intervention on men's attitudes towards, and participation in, sexual and reproductive health, maternal, newborn and child health, and equitable and non-violent relationships with their children and partners.
This study seeks to assess the impact of the MenCare+/Bandebereho fathers'/couples' group education intervention on men's attitudes towards, and participation in, sexual and reproductive health, maternal, newborn and child health, and equitable and non-violent relationships with their children and partners. The MenCare+/ Bandebereho program is a multi-component comprehensive intervention being implemented by the Rwanda Men's Resource Center (RWAMREC) and Promundo-US, in collaboration with the Rwanda Ministry of Health and local authorities in Karongi, Musanze, Nyaruguru and Rwamagana districts. The proposed study will evaluate one component of the program, a 15-session group education intervention targeting young fathers and mothers. The impact of the fathers' group education will be assessed through a randomized control trial design with an intervention arm of men and women participating in the father groups and a control arm of men and women who do not participate in the intervention. The study will collect quantitative and qualitative data over a period of approximately three years.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
2,400
MenCare+/Bandebereho is a 3 year project to engage men in maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH) and in sexual and reproductive health in Rwanda. A core component of the project is fathers'/couples' group education. The target participants are first-time parents or parents of young children living in 16 rural and semi-urban sectors selected by the implementing partner in collaboration with local authorities. The MenCare+/Bandebereho fathers'/couples' group education engages men in 15 weekly sessions of group discussion, critical reflection and interactive activities led by a trained facilitator using a curriculum developed by RWAMREC and Promundo and approved by the Rwandan Ministry of Health, adapted from the Program P Manual. Men's partners participate in 6-8 sessions. The sessions focus on men's role in MNCH, family planning, sharing household responsibilities, intimate partner violence, conflict resolution, family budgeting, and gender equality.
Gender division of caregiving/domestic tasks (from questionnaire: a) composite capturing frequency of the respondent doing household or caregiving tasks; b) composite capturing how tasks are shared between partners).
Time frame: 4 months post intervention
Men's participation in family planning and maternal, newborn and child health (from questionnaire: a) men's presence at antenatal care visits; b) women's reports of receiving partner support during pregnancy; c) use of family planning).
Time frame: 4 months post intervention
Gender-related attitudes (from questionnaire: a continuous scale variable, adapted from the validated Gender Equitable Men (GEM) scale).
Time frame: 4 months post intervention
Women's experiences of intimate partner violence (from: questionnaire: a composite capturing exposure to a standard set of violent acts by a partner).
Time frame: 4 months post intervention
Use of violence/harsh punishment against children (from questionnaire: a composite capturing respondents' use of various harsh discipline acts in the past month, adapted from the UNICEF MICS study).
Time frame: 4 months post intervention
Relationship quality measured (from questionnaire: a) frequency of quarreling and b) quality scale adapted from the Decision Making in Low-Income Couples).
Time frame: 4 months post intervention
Couple communication (from questionnaire: a composite capturing frequency of communication across multiple topics).
Time frame: 4 months post intervention
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