Background
When women and men struggle with childlessness, the problem can be caused by either one of them – or both. In Kenya, however, many women who suffer from an inability to become pregnant, or recurrent pregnancy losses, seek medical help without the company of their male partners. Doctors also often limit the health investigations to the woman, which causes both an incomplete medical assessment and a lot of emotional strain for the woman.

About the project
This project was created to manage childless couples as a couple, rather than just focusing on the woman. In order to do this, the project team’s goal was to increase the male attendance at the fertility clinic and to inform clients about both the male and female factors that can contribute to their inability to conceive. Discussions and interviews were held with both the hospital staff and the clients. The project team found that many doctors failed to inform women that their partners should also be present, and some even acted surprised when a man did accompany his partner to the clinic. Fear of pain, men being aware that they are the problem, low education levels and men’s lack of support for their partners were other reasons why males didn’t accompany their partners to the hospital.

Results:

Before the project, 12% of the clients suffering from childlessness at Kenyatta National Teaching Hospital (KNH) would seek help as a couple, and only 12% at the University of Nairobi Health Services (UHS). Four months after the project started there was a significant increase, where 65% attended the clinic as a couple at KNTH and 45% at UNHS. This was mainly a result of new booking system used by the health workers. In addition to this, there was an increased communication between the staff at KNH and UHS to ensure the same standards of care was given to all clients.

Year: 2006