Norms, beliefs and sexual behaviors among males during partner’s breastfeeding period in Mtwara municipal council

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Sexual practices during breastfeeding and after childbirth are delicate topics.52.26% of partner’s worldwide return to having sex within six weeks of giving birth. Within six weeks after giving birth, over one-third of postpartum women in Africa have a sexual relationship with their partners. Men typically avoid having sex with their spouses when they are nursing, but there are reports that they could be having extramarital sex, which puts them at risk for HIV and STIs. Objective: To explore cultural norms, beliefs, and males sexual behaviors among males during a partner’s breastfeeding period in Mtwara Municipal Council Materials and methods: The Study employed an exploratory descriptive qualitative design. The study was community based conducted in Mtwara Municipal Council. Participants were selected through a non-probability convenient sampling technique by the guidance of street and ward leaders. A semi-structured interview guide with probing questions was used as a data collection tool to guide the process and the interview was conducted after obtaining the consent of the participants. Data was collected by the researcher in June 2024 and with two research assistants from the ward leaders. All the interviews were audio recorded using a digital audio recorder. The data was be analyzed by thematic data analysis approach The Muhimbili University Institutional Review Board provided ethical approval for the study. Results: a total of twelve participants took part in the study. We found out that the common sexual norms and beliefs reported by males during partner’s breastfeeding were women shifting from home to their parents, beliefs on having safe sex through the use of contraception and beliefs on prolonged sexual abstinence. The common males sexual behaviours reported were having a detour (mchepuko), prostitutes, polygamy and masturbation. Males had different perspectives regards family care which were influenced by marriage breakups, economic challenges, single parenting and deterioration of family services. Conclusion: According to the findings of this study males have different sexual behaviour which are influenced by social norms and beliefs. Furthermore, these sexual behavior could possibly influence males’ involvement in family and child care. Therefore, this study recommend that Sexual health education to pregnant woman and their partners during antenatal visits and postnatal visits should be improved. A study should be done to explore the prevalence sexually transmitted infections and Human immunodeficiency virus associated with sexual behavior among partners during the breastfeeding period.