| Summary: | In July 1991, BRAC integrated its diverse health activities into the newly
established Women Health and Development Programme (WHDP). But as men
play a key role in making decisions in deferent spheres of women's life, health
programme managers increasingly recognize the importance of male involvement
in women focused health program.
This study was therefore done with the objectives, to determine the knowledge,
attitude and felt need of the male population of the community regarding BRAC's
Women's Health and Development Program. The principal investigator stayed for
nearly a month (Jan1996) with a family in a typical village of a WHDP working
area to gather information. Informal conversation , key informant interview and
observation of health care service delivery was done .
The study reveals that , men have a gep.eralized feeling of being neglected by the
BRAC's health program. Men have knowledge only about the curative
components of the programme though more programmatic input was given to the
preventive components. Contradictory attitude was revealed among men regarding
BRAC's programme. This was also found that there is lack of regular male contact
by the field workers. However. a strong felt need \vas expressed by most men
regarding health information and services.
In order to ensure male involvement in the program. it was recommended to
organize orientation session for field workers on male involvement, to strengthen
male torums, to specify male audience, to open male only clinic and to recruit
male community health workers.
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