Men as sexual partners, fathers and household heads have a direct bearing on women’s
reproductive health. However, little is known about the influence of changing norms
and values on men’s role in ensuring women’s health during pregnancy and childbirth.
This study from rural south-eastern Tanzania explores men’s and women’s discussions
on men’s roles and responsibilities in prenatal care and links them to an analysis of
norms and values at the household level and beyond. Data from eight focus group discussions
with men and women were consensually coded and analysed using a qualitative
content analysis. Four dimensions of norms and values, which emerged from
analysis, bear upon men’s support towards pregnant women: changing gender identities;
changing family and marriage structures; biomedical values disseminated in
health education; and government regulations. The findings suggest that Tanzanian
men are exposed to a contradictory and changing landscape of norms and values in relation
to maternal health.