There is extensive debate on how the condition of vaginismus is understood, classified and diagnosed. A significant amount of literature argues that no school of thought has adequately explained the condition, and no terminology sufficiently describes the experience of sufferers and their partners. This study explores the experiences and perceptions of male partners to contribute towards a more meaningful understanding of the condition. The participants were volunteers who, together with their partners had sought treatment at a sexual and reproductive health clinic. Each participant consented to a semi-structured interview which explored themes around their relationship and sexual interaction, and understanding of and response to vaginismus. The interview data was analysed using content analysis and themes were drawn from the patterns identified. These themes provide a rich description of the experience of men in relationships with women diagnosed with vaginismus. There is also some support for the literature findings on the characteristics of the male partners. The participants appear to have particular personality characteristics, which are sustained in the context created by the sexual and relationship difficulties associated with vaginismus. It is aspects of the participants’ personalities and their social and cultural identities which mediate their experience in the context of the relationship. In addition, the participants’ understanding of sexual identity is strongly influenced by culturally defined norms. Although the problem may be conceptualised as a sexual difficulty, it can become pervasive and affect other aspects of the relationship. However, the condition also has the potential to amplify the importance of the relationship and lead to increased commitment. The time periods before seeking treatment varied considerably, though all the participants reported finding ways in which to manage the sexual difficulties. The couples’ main objective for seeking treatment was to have penetrative intercourse and/or conceive children. The experience of seeking treatment was hampered by inconsistent diagnoses and a lack of specialized knowledge. It is recommended that future research focuses on improving assessment and diagnosis of vaginismus

Magister Public Health - MPH / In 2018 Opuwo Maternity Waiting Home (MWH) was inaugurated after its completion with the assistance from WHO and the European Union. This initiative by the Ministry of Health and Social Service and its partners was aimed to ensure safe deliveries as well as to overcome physical and socio-economic barriers such as long distances, communication and high transport costs to access health care facilities for safe deliveries in Opuwo District. However, since its inception the facility has been under-utilized. The aim of the study was to explore male partners’ experiences, perceptions and roles regarding the use of the MWH in Opuwo District, Namibia.

Magister Public Health - MPH / Since the introduction in 2005 of prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) services in Akwa Ibom State in Nigeria the PMTCT programme has faced several challenges including that of poor male participation in the PMTCT programme. To date no research has focused on the issue of male participation in PMTCT programmes in Akwa Ibom State, and there is thus a limited understanding of why so few male partners of HIVpositive pregnant women participate in the State's PMTCT programme. It is therefore important to explore the factors affecting male involvement in PMTCT programmes in Akwa Ibom State, so that strategies can be put in place to help improve the overall health of their families and themselves. The overall aim of the study was thus to explore the factors affecting male participation in the PMTCT programme at a primary health care center in West Itam, Akwa Ibom State, in Nigeria. This explorative study was conducted using a descriptive qualitative research approach. The research study approach helped to understand the perspectives of the male partners of HIV positive pregnant women who received the PMTCT intervention, as well as key informants in the Primary Health Care (PHC) facility where these PMTCT services are offered. The study population consisted of all males living within the catchment area of the West Itam PHC, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. In the research study, 11 men were purposively sampled: five of whom were the partners of HIV-positive women who had attended, or were currently attending the PMTCT services at the West Itam PHC with their partner. The other six interviewees were local male community members – who would be eligible to potentially accompany their partner to PMTCT services at the facility. The data was collected through individual, in-depth interviews with the male partners and community members using a semi-structured interview guide. One focus group discussion (FGD) was conducted with key personnel working in the West Itam PHC using a semistructured interview guide. All interviews and the FGD were tape-recorded and transcribed. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Ethical approval was first obtained from the UWC Research Ethics Committee and the Ethics Committee of the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Health before proceeding with the study. From this study, it is suggested that most of the respondents knew that PMTCT services are offered at the PHC West Itam. They knew their partner's next antenatal appointment, but only very few accompany their pregnant partners to the antenatal clinic. The striking reason being a lack of time/being busy. The key means of support of the partners' antenatal visits was giving their pregnant partners money for transport, and money for food/snacks (at the clinic). Inter-spousal communication was found to be good, and there appeared to be a perception by the men that antenatal clinic (ANC)/PMTCT is not only for women, with most of the men agreeing that it is useful for men to participate in PMTCT. The barriers to male participation in the PMTCT programme that were elicited in this study include lack of belief about HIV/AIDS and lack of awareness about PMTCT and the perception of PMTCT as a "women's affair". Another barrier to male participation in the PMTCT programme was the men being busy with their jobs/lack of time, and fear. Facility-based barriers include delays/time wasting at the clinic, and the nurses, who were identified as having an unaccommodating attitude towards the clients. Finally, the fact that the nurses and counsellors at the PHC West Itam were all female was a problem for men. It is recommended that there is need for advocacy and education to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS, and encourage male participation in PMTCT. It is also important to encourage the disclosure of HIV status by the women to their male partners. Furthermore, a separate male counselling unit needs to be created, as well as ensuring the employment of male nurses and counsellors. Additionally, the female nurses at the facility need to be trained/re-trained on proper attitude and confidentiality, and efforts must be made to avoid delays at the clinic.

Although Provoked Vestibulodynia has a great impact on women’s relationships, including their partners, research has predominantly focused on the women. This thesis aimed to expand the knowledge regarding psychosexual health of the partner. Depressive symptoms, anxiety, sexual distress, and domains of sexual function (erectile function, orgasmic function, sexual desire, intercourse satisfaction, overall sexual satisfaction) were investigated through descriptive comparisons, correlations, and regression analyses. The sample consisted of male partners (N=53) of women with PVD, aged 20-50 years. Baseline data from a larger RCT was compared with data from external studies. Results showed that PVD partners reported similar levels of depressive symptoms and anxiety as comparison groups. However, PVD partners expressed higher levels of sexual distress, and lower levels of sexual function than comparison groups. Several domains of sexual function predicted overall sexual satisfaction, whereas depressive symptoms did not explain levels of sexual distress. However, depressive symptoms co-occurring with poorer overall sexual satisfaction and orgasmic function, explained higher sexual distress. We conclude that partners have a perceived impaired sexual health. Their impairment is localised to sexuality and not generalised to the rest of their lives. Partner involvement is integral in the treatment of PVD and should be investigated in future research.

This study uses qualitative research consisting of six semi-structural interviews of treatment workers who, in various capacities, have worked with men who use violence against their female partners. The purpose has been to show what the treatment counselor understand to be the reasons behind the men’s violence, what kind of backgrounds and problems they believe these abusers have and, lastly, how they view the male abusers as clients. The empirical data was analyzed through four perspectives and explanatory models derived from the past thirty years of Scandinavian research on the reasons behind men’s violence against women. Connell’s theory of masculinity was used as a filter along with the four theoretical perspectives when interpreting the data. The study revealed that the respondents found no consistent group of men who abuse. The respondents brought up reasons such as possible earlier exposure to violence, fear of abandonment, jealousy, feelings of powerlessness, and failed expectations of gender roles to be some consistent causes behind the violence. In general, according to the treatment workers, the male abusers they encounter tend to struggle with their self-image and how they fulfill perceived male ideals.

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