By Emmanuel Antswen
The United Nations Women (UN Women) on Monday said only 3.4 per cent
of men in Nigeria attend clinic visits with their spouses.
Ms Beatrice Eyong, the UN Women Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, disclosed this in Makurdi during a two-day training for traditional and religious leaders on addressing socio-cultural barriers to male involvement in healthcare in Benue.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the training was “Social Norms Training on Male Engagement in Support of Antenatal Care (ANC), Postnatal Care (PNC), and Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) Services in Nigeria.”
Eyong said recent research conducted by the organisation showed that the physical presence and active participation of men during antenatal sessions remained critically low.
Represented by the group’s acting Deputy Representative, Ms Patience Ekeoba, the country representative
emphasised the critical role of community leaders in shaping attitudes and behaviours that influence maternal and child health outcomes.
She identified challenges such as late antenatal attendance, low utilisation of postnatal services, stigma, harmful cultural beliefs and limited male participation in maternal healthcare.
She disclosed that “Nigeria currently records one of the highest rates of Mother-To-Child transmission of HIV globally.
“Evidence shows that only 3.4 per cent of men attend clinic visits with their spouses, overall male partner involvement stands at 13.8 per cent, while only 3.3 per cent attend more than two visits.
“The average Male Involvement Index is 19.8 per cent. However, we also know that positive social norms and strong community leadership can transform these realities.
“When traditional rulers encourage families to support pregnant women, when religious leaders use their platforms to promote healthy practices, and when community leaders champion inclusion and male involvement, communities become safer and healthier for mothers and children.”
Eyong explained that the training was designed to strengthen participants’ capacity to promote healthy practices, reduce stigma, encourage gender equity, and increase male participation in maternal and child healthcare services.
She stressed that improving maternal and child health required collaboration between healthcare providers and community leaders, whose influence within families, Churches, Mosques, and communities remained vital for lasting change.
Eyong appreciated participants, organisers, and development partners and urged stakeholders to work collectively towards healthier mothers, children, and communities.
In a goodwill message, the Head of the Makurdi Traditional Council, Chief Vincent Ahule, the Ter Makurdi, said many rural dwellers do not have knowledge of ANC, PNC, and PMTCT services in Benue.
Represented by Chief Justin Terseer, Ahule said many people also faced challenges accessing healthcare services and urged participants to step down the training knowledge to the grassroots.
The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Benue, Bishop Wilfred Anagbe of the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, urged participants to take the training seriously.
Represented by Rev. Jesse Tseke, Anagbe said society was becoming increasingly vulnerable due to inadequate healthcare services and poor public enlightenment.
Mr Kasali Abiola, the Programme Officer I at the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), said involving men in ANC, PNC, and PMTCT services would strengthen family healthcare delivery.
Abiola noted that women and children remain the future of every nation and that their health should be treated as a national priority.
NAN reports that the training was funded by the UN, with support from the Federal Ministry of Health and UNAIDS, in collaboration with the Nigeria Network of Religious Leaders Living with or Personally Affected by HIV/AIDS (NINERELA+). NAN
