Hand-in-hand in the golden years: Cognitive interdependence, partner involvement in retirement planning, and the transition into retirement

This research examined the influence of cognitive interdependence—a mental state reflecting a collective representation of the self-in-relationship—on the anticipation for and experiences with the transition into retirement. Among soon-to-be retirees (Study 1), greater cognitive interdependence was associated with seeing partners as more instrumental to one’s goals both pre- and post-retirement, anticipating greater goal alignment post-retirement, and having directly involved partners in retirement planning to a greater extent than those relatively lower in cognitive interdependence. Among recent retirees (Study 2), retrospective cognitive interdependence was associated with post-retirement goal alignment and goal instrumentality, and the extent to which they believed they had directly involved their partners in retirement planning. However, it was post-retirement goal alignment that was associated with greater ease of retirement and subjective well-being. Finally, soon-to-be retirees relatively high in cognitive interdependence responded to concerns about their retirement (i.e., goal discordance and high retirement ambivalence) by wanting to involve their partners in their retirement plans to a greater extent (Study 3). These studies highlight the importance of romantic partners across the lifespan, and how partners might influence retirement planning, the transition to retirement, and well-being among recent retirees.

Partner Involvement in Type 2 Diabetes Self-Management: A Mixed-Methods Investigation

Researchers have recognized the role of social environment in diabetes management, with substantial attention directed toward spouses or romantic partners of people with diabetes. However, the specific ways in which partners are involved have not been articulated. This study, which included 207 couples in which one person was recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, used a mixed-methods approach to assess types of partner involvement in diabetes management. First, different types of partner involvement were qualitatively identified from audiotaped interviews, and links between qualitative findings and demographics were examined. Next, qualitative codes were compared to quantitative measures of partner involvement. Finally, relations of qualitative codes to relationship quality and diabetes outcomes were assessed. Qualitative analyses identified three ways in which partners were involved in diabetes management (support provision, collaboration, and controlling behavior) and two ways in which they were not involved (independent coping and disengagement on the part of the person with diabetes). Participants with diabetes perceived less partner involvement than their partners. Comparisons with quantitative measures revealed that collaboration was distinct from partner support. Reports from participants with diabetes of collaboration, but not partner support, were connected to higher relationship quality and lower A1C, whereas partner reports of collaboration were related to better self-care. Diabetes disengagement was associated with poorer relationship and behavioral outcomes. These findings underscore the varied ways in which partners are and are not involved in diabetes management and suggest that collaboration is more beneficial than social support in terms of relationship quality and diabetes outcomes.

Partner Involvement in Type 2 Diabetes Self-Management: A Mixed-Methods Investigation

Researchers have recognized the role of social environment in diabetes management, with substantial attention directed toward spouses or romantic partners of people with diabetes. However, the specific ways in which partners are involved have not been articulated. This study, which included 207 couples in which one person was recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, used a mixed-methods approach to assess types of partner involvement in diabetes management. First, different types of partner involvement were qualitatively identified from audiotaped interviews, and links between qualitative findings and demographics were examined. Next, qualitative codes were compared to quantitative measures of partner involvement. Finally, relations of qualitative codes to relationship quality and diabetes outcomes were assessed. Qualitative analyses identified three ways in which partners were involved in diabetes management (support provision, collaboration, and controlling behavior) and two ways in which they were not involved (independent coping and disengagement on the part of the person with diabetes). Participants with diabetes perceived less partner involvement than their partners. Comparisons with quantitative measures revealed that collaboration was distinct from partner support. Reports from participants with diabetes of collaboration, but not partner support, were connected to higher relationship quality and lower A1C, whereas partner reports of collaboration were related to better self-care. Diabetes disengagement was associated with poorer relationship and behavioral outcomes. These findings underscore the varied ways in which partners are and are not involved in diabetes management and suggest that collaboration is more beneficial than social support in terms of relationship quality and diabetes outcomes.

Adequacy and timeliness of antenatal care visits among Ethiopian women: a community-based panel study

ObjectivesThe purposes of the study are; (A) to identify whether Ethiopian women’s antenatal care (ANC) visits are adequate and timely and (B) to explore factors that determine these.DesignPanel study design.SettingEthiopia.ParticipantsA total of 2855 women nested within 217 enumeration areas.Primary outcome measuresAdequacy and timeliness of ANC visits.ResultsOf all the 2855 respondents, 65% had made an ANC visit once, while 26.8% initiated ANC visits in a timely way and 43.3% attended adequate ANC visits. Rural residence (adjusted OR (AOR)=0.55, 95% CI: 0.36 to 0.84), attending higher level of education (AOR=2.64, 95% CI: 1.47 to 4.77), being multipara (AOR=0.53, 95% CI: 0.32 to 0.89) and encouragement by partners to attend clinic for ANC (AOR=1.98, 95% CI: 1.14 to 3.44) were significantly associated with timeliness of ANC visit. Similarly, residing in rural areas (AOR=0.20, 95% CI: 0.12 to 0.35), attending higher level of education (AOR=2.96, 95% CI: 1.38 to 6.15), encouragement by partners to attend clinic for ANC (AOR=2.11, 95% CI: 1.31 to 3.40) and timeliness of ANC visit (AOR=4.59, 95% CI: 2.93 to 7.21) were significantly associated with adequacy of ANC visits.ConclusionsA quarter of the pregnant women started ANC visits during the first trimester and nearly half attended adequate ANC visits with wider disparities across regions of their origin and their background characteristics. Concerted efforts on tailored interventions for rural residents, female education and partner involvement are recommended for early and adequate ANC visit(s).

Male Partner Involvement in Promoting Antenatal Care and Skilled Delivery Attendance in Bumula Sub-County, Kenya

Globally, male partner involvement in antenatal care and skilled delivery services remains a challenge to effective management of maternal health. Maternal morbidities and mortalities have been increasing due to the underutilization of antenatal care and skilled delivery attendance at a global level. However, developed countries have had a different story on male partner involvement in antenatal care and skilled delivery attendance – most male partners are involved in the process. But sub-Saharan Africa in the global south records the highest percentage of male partners who are never active in accompanying their female counterparts to visit antenatal care and skilled delivery. In Kenya male involvement in maternal services remains low despite it being recognized as one of the pillars of safe motherhood. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate male partner involvement in promoting antenatal care and skilled delivery attendance in Bumula Sub-County of Bungoma County in Kenya. It focused on the level of male partners involvement in maternal health. The study adopted a cross-sectional design. The target populations were married men and community health volunteers. The study had a sample size of 427 persons. Data was collected using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire, key in-depth interview guides, focused group discussion guides and observation checklist. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics with the aid of the Statistical Package for Social Scientist version 25. Data were presented using tables, figures, narratives and direct quotes. The study found a low level of male involvement (18%) in promoting antenatal care and skilled delivery attendance. Most of the male partners (83.1%) did not plan with their partners for ANC and skilled delivery services, however, (54.1%) accompanied their partners to the clinics. The study concluded There was a low level of male partner involvement in ANC and skilled delivery attendance. About 18% of male partners were involvement in ANC and skilled delivery attendance. There was an improvement of male partner involvement in accompaniment and provision of support. The study recommended that the two levels of government through the Ministry of Health should create awareness campaigns and public education with a targeted massage on negative cultural practices/mindset that hinder male partner involvement in maternal health services in the Bumula sub-county.

Nurses' and midwives' views on male partner involvement in maternity care in Imo, Nigeria

Background/Aims In 2015, the World Health Organization recommended male partner involvement in maternal and child health as an effective strategy to combat maternal and child health in pregnancy. Healthcare practitioners' acceptance of male partners in maternal and child healthcare is likely to improve provider and patient satisfaction. The main objective of the study was to assess nurses' and midwives' perceptions of male partner involvement in maternity care, and their willingness and constraints to performing it in selected hospitals in Imo, Nigeria. Methods A mixed-method approach was used to gather data from nurses and midwives in the antenatal care, labour and postnatal care wards of selected hospitals. A semi-structured questionnaire and interview guide were used to collect data assessing the participants' perceptions of male partner involvement in maternity care and of the barriers to it. Quantitative data were analysed through bivariate analysis, using the Chi squared test, and key quotes were extracted from qualitative data to illustrate relevant points. Results The majority (57%) of the respondent had a good perception of the concept of male partner involvement. The ward that a participant worked in significantly affected their perception (P=0.01). Respondents were willing to accept male partners in maternity care through education and providing more male-friendly services. However, sociocultural, hospital policy and structural factors restricted acceptance of men in the wards. Conclusions Nurses and midwives in all wards should be educated on the importance of male partner involvement in maternity care. Nurses and midwives need to engage in community health education programmes that will modify cultural constraints to male partner involvement and facilities should modify their structure and policies to be more male-friendly.

Fathers’ involvement in perinatal healthcare in Australia: experiences and reflections of Ethiopian-Australian men and women

Background Family-centred maternity care models include the expectation that fathers prepare for and attend the birth. In Australia over 20% of the population is from a culturally and linguistically diverse background. Public policies espouse culturally competent healthcare. Little is known about the experiences of perinatal health care of men from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities living in high income countries. The aim was to understand the experiences, attitudes and beliefs about father’s inclusion in perinatal healthcare, from the growing, and recently settled community of Ethiopian families living in Australia. Methods A qualitative study using semi-structured individual interviews with Ethiopian-Australian men and women who had experienced Australian maternity care and were sampled for diversity of time since migration, and parity. Interviews were in English, audio-recorded, transcribed and then analysed thematically. Results Participants were seven women and six men all born in Ethiopia, including two couples. Key themes included: the loss of extended family through migration, new roles for both parents and the need to establish ‘family-like’ relationships with friendship groups in Australia. There was a willingness to involve male partners in the Ethiopian community in Australia, although it was recognised as a cultural change. Experiences of male partner involvement were mixed among healthcare types, with men attending Maternal and Child Health (MCH) appointments less frequently than antenatal (ANC) appointments. Conclusions Results suggests men may be missing out on the education provided during antenatal appointments and may benefit from an alternative. There were not universally high levels of cultural competency among healthcare professionals, with further training still required. Commitment to paid employment remains a barrier to men’s involvement, suggesting that flexible working conditions and increased paternity leave would support their involvement. Alternatively services could utilise flexible delivery methods such as phone and zoom to include fathers.

Efficacy of Sphincter Control Training and medical device in the treatment of premature ejaculation: A multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial

A new line of treatment for premature ejaculation (PE) based on the use of masturbation aid device in combination with behavioral techniques has emerged in recent years. We report a multicenter randomized clinical trial with a parallel group design to determine the effectiveness of an electronic device called Myhixel I© in the treatment of PE. Forty patients who met the criteria for the diagnosis of lifelong PE, were assigned to two treatment groups completed the Sphincter control training (SCT) program in eight weeks. The only difference between groups was the use of the device. The main measure was the “fold increase” (FI) of the intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (IELT). The geometric means of IELT show, at the end of the treatment at week 8, a superiority of the device group. The mean FI 4.27 (SD 2.59) at the end of treatment for the device group was clearly higher than obtained in the previous clinical trial, in which a specific medical device was not used. No side effects were observed and it required little therapeutic input and no partner involvement. The SCT program in combination with the Myhixel I© is an effective treatment for PE.

Effect of male partner involvement on maternity waiting home utilization in Hadiya Zone, Southern Ethiopia: a cluster-randomized controlled trial protocol

BackgroundThe primary cause of adverse maternal health outcomes has been identified to be the delay in reaching care at health facility. This is often attributed to the long distances’ women need to travel to gain access to health facilities. Literature show that maternity waiting homes (MWHs) contribute significantly to the reduction of maternal death and stillbirth among users. Despite its importance in improving maternal & neonatal health outcomes, the utilization of MWHs is very low in Ethiopia. So, it is important to investigate what strategies could be effective in improving MWH utilization in Ethiopia. The aim of this study is to assess if male partner involvement could be used as a solution to improve MWH utilization in Ethiopia.Methods/designThis study will evaluate the effect of male partner involvement on MWH utilization in Hadiya Zone, Southern Ethiopia. A behavioral intervention will be performed using a cluster-randomized controlled trial design. The intervention will have two arms, i.e., experimental and control arms. The study participants will be pregnant women in their second trimesters with their male partners. The total trial sample size will be 388. That means 194 study participants in each arm. Randomization will be conducted at cluster level. Study participants and assessors will be masked. Data analysis will be performed by STATA version 14.0 using an Intention-To-Treat Approach.DiscussionThe content of the intervention will be group health education, home visits, and phone counseling. Health education will be delivered to "husband-expectant wife" pairs at the baseline. Then home visits will be conducted at the beginning of every month, and phone counseling will be conducted in the third week of every month for consecutive six months. The anticipated trial commencement time is November 2021.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05015023. Registered August 20, 2021. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05015023