Integrating Reproductive Health Counseling into Prenatal and Postnatal Care: Findings from the Men in Maternity Study in Delhi

Leila E. Caleb Varkey, Population Council
Anurag Mishra, Population Council
Emma Ottolenghi, Population Council
M. E. Khan, Population Council
Anjana Das, Family Health International
Dale Huntington, World Bank Group
Susan E. Adamchak, Family Health International

This study called the Men in Maternity Study (MIM) tested a new model of maternity care integrating family planning (FP) and STI prevention messages into couple and individual counseling provided to consenting pregnant women and their husbands during routine prenatal and postnatal visits. Using a quasi-experimental non-equivalent control group design, the response of 327 couples from 3 intervention clinics, and 302 couples from control clinics were compared through a pre- and post-intervention survey. This paper presents the intervention and key findings related to postpartum FP intentions, knowledge and practices of men and women as well as reports of STI/HIV related risky behaviors and knowledge of preventive practices. Results showed that there was a statistically significant increase in condom use, and knowledge of dual protection at six months postpartum, although patterns of FP method use remained the same and STI/HIV related risk perception and knowledge of prevention remained low.