ArticleReproductive health2019
Engaging men in an mHealth approach to support postpartum family planning among couples in Kenya: a qualitative study.
Article in Reproductive health, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 31 papers, 5 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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Who cites it
31 citing papers in PubMed, 5 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 49 citations in OpenAlex.
- Assessing the impact of SMS-based interventions in promoting family planning uptake and modern contraceptive utilization in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMC public health · 2026Pooled it
- Contextual success and pitfalls of mHealth service for maternal and child health in Africa: An Intervention, Context, Actors, Mechanism, and Outcome (ICAMO) framework guided systematic review of qualitative evidence.BMC pregnancy and childbirth · 2024Pooled it
- Couples-based interventions and postpartum contraceptive uptake: A systematic review.Contraception · 2022Pooled it
- Effects of mHealth on the psychosocial health of pregnant women and mothers: a systematic review.BMJ open · 2022Pooled it
- Men's Involvement in Sexual and Reproductive Health Care and Decision Making in the Philippines: A Systematic Review of the Literature.American journal of men's healthPooled it
- Effects of a community-based, multi-level family planning intervention on theoretically grounded intermediate outcomes for couples in rural Uganda: Results from a mixed methods pilot evaluation.British journal of health psychology · 2024Trial
- An mHealth SMS intervention on Postpartum Contraceptive Use Among Women and Couples in Kenya: A Randomized Controlled Trial.American journal of public health · 2019Trial
- Initiation of immediate postpartum family planning and its determinants among women delivering in health facilities: a cross-sectional study.Reproductive health · 2026Article
- Exploring influence and knowledge on family planning among internally displaced men: a qualitative exploration of attitudes, norms and beliefs in Twic, South Sudan.Conflict and health · 2026Article
- Factors associated with male involvement in postpartum reversible contraceptive use in Shebedino Woreda, Southern Ethiopia.Scientific reports · 2025Article
- Empowering postpartum women: the role of mHealth apps in promoting mental health and obesity prevention.BMC women's health · 2025Article
- The paradox of enhancing male involvement in family planning uptake in rural Tanzania: insights from Bahi District, Dodoma Region.BMC health services research · 2025Article
- "My Husband Is a 'Mama's Boy'": Women's Views on Male Engagement in Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health in Western Kenya.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2025Article
- Scoping review of qualitative studies on family planning in Uganda.PLOS global public health · 2024Article
- Article
- Attitudes and perceptions towards postpartum contraceptive use among seroconcordant partners with HIV in rural Mozambique: a qualitative study.Global health research and policy · 2023Article
- Involving men and boys in family planning: A systematic review of the effective components and characteristics of complex interventions in low- and middle-income countries.Campbell systematic reviews · 2023Review
- Gender transformative approaches in mHealth for maternal healthcare in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review.Frontiers in digital health · 2023Review
- Perceptions of Partners' Fertility Preferences and Women's Covert Contraceptive Use in Eight Sub-Saharan African Countries.Studies in family planning · 2022Article
- Understanding gender dynamics in mHealth interventions can enhance the sustainability of benefits of digital technology for maternal healthcare in rural Nigeria.Frontiers in global women's health · 2022Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
7 authors at 4 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundInvolving male partners in family planning (FP) education and counseling may improve FP utilization and help meet couples' reproductive health needs in the postpartum period. We aimed to explore Kenyan men's and women's perspectives on an interactive short message service (SMS) approach to support postpartum FP decision-making, and inform intervention content for a randomized controlled trial (RCT).
methodsWe conducted four focus group discussions (FGD) among men (n = 35) and two among pregnant/postpartum women (n = 15) in western Kenya. Female participants were recruited at antenatal clinics; male participants were referred by antenatal attendees. FGDs included participant critique of pilot theory-based SMS messages. FGD transcripts were coded by two investigators and analyzed using an iterative, modified grounded theory approach. These data informed the intervention and RCT design, in which women had the option to refer male partners for trial enrollment.
resultsMen strongly desired inclusion in FP programs, and frequently discussed negative relationship consequences of women's covert contraceptive use. Female and male participants voiced a variety of concerns about contraceptive side effects and potential harms, which were central to narratives of community influence on personal contraceptive choices. Most participants felt that receiving FP-focused SMS and including men would be beneficial. They perceived that SMS dialogue with a nurse about FP could reduce misperceptions and may stimulate communication within couples, thereby improving contraceptive access and continuation. Shared decision-making around FP within couple relationships, in consultation with clinicians, was highly valued.
conclusionsHealth concerns about FP and limited couple communication are perceived contributors to postpartum unmet contraceptive need. With women's consent, the inclusion of male partners in FP services, and specifically in an mHealth SMS intervention, is acceptable and desired. Receiving SMS may trigger communication about postpartum FP within couples. SMS content should address contraceptive knowledge gaps, anticipated side effects and FP misperceptions, and allow for real-time method choice assistance.
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Registered trials
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