Assessing husbands' knowledge and willingness regarding postpartum sexual resumption: a study of male partners in the Bongo District.

BACKGROUND: Postpartum sexual activity is frequently resumed earlier than is recommended in low-resource settings, endangering the health of the mother. Postpartum decision-making is heavily impacted by partner-related and cultural factors, especially in rural and patriarchal environments. Research that has been published thus far has been focused on the perspectives of women, with little consideration given to the potential influence of male partners on postpartum sexual behavior. AIM: This study aimed to assess the knowledge level of husbands regarding the effects of early sexual resumption after childbirth and their willingness to wait for their wives to feel ready to resume sexual activities in the Bongo District. METHODS: Utilizing a quantitative cross-sectional design, data were collected from 92 male partners of young women through a closed-ended questionnaire, which included Likert-scale items measuring perceptions related to postpartum sexual health. RESULTS: Descriptive statistics revealed a moderate awareness of physical changes post-childbirth and a lower knowledge of common issues like hormonal fluctuations. Additionally, husbands exhibited a strong willingness to support their wives, with high scores for prioritizing their feelings about intimacy and emotional support. Regression analysis indicated a significant relationship between husbands' knowledge levels and their attitudes toward sexual resumption, indicating a variance in attitudes. CONCLUSION: This study's findings highlighted the formulation of gender-sensitive postpartum policies that needed the involvement of male partners in postnatal education, fostering shared responsibility and mitigating early sexual resumption hazards.