Population Council Research that makes a difference

Through this project (officially called "Providing Policy and Program Development Support to the National Department of Health (Women’s Health and Genetics and Gender Directorates) to Address Male Involvement in Reproductive Health"), the Population Council is providing technical assistance to South Africa's National Department of Health (NDOH) through its Women’s Health and Genetics and Gender units to support the development of a strategy to address male involvement in reproductive health.

In collaboration with our local partner, Sonke Gender Justice Network, the Council assessed the effectiveness of available health information and communication materials targeted to encouraging male involvement in reproductive health. In general, men do not access medical and reproductive health care as often as do women, making them less likely to seek knowledge and methods for preventing HIV infection and treating sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Lack of male involvement in maternal health and prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV programs has been identified as a major challenge to creating effective programs (see 2001 Horizons consultation report).

As part of its technical assistance, the Council will conduct focus-group discussions as well as telephone and face-to-face interviews with program implementers in South Africa. This data collection will explore existing models that involve or specifically target men in their reproductive health programs.

The Population Council previously conducted research on health service–based projects to involve men in antenatal and postnatal services, as well as an evaluation of a community-based project targeting men. Lessons from these projects—as well as the Council’s extensive work in maternal health in South Africa—will be drawn upon in this project to support the development of an NDOH strategy; information, education, and communication materials; and program recommendations for male involvement in reproductive health in South Africa.