Citation
Mhando, Frank; Dovel, Kathryn; Jennings Mayo-Wilson, Larissa; Rwehumbiza, Deusdedit; Thompson, Noah; Nwaozuru, Ucheoma; Rehani, Abubakar; Iwelunmor, Juliet; Nelson, LaRon E.; & Conserve, Donaldson F. (2020). Microfinance and Peer Health Leadership Intervention Implementation for Men in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: A Qualitative Assessment of Perceived Economic and Health Outcomes. American Journal of Men's Health, 14(4), 1557988320936892. PMCID: PMC7492860Abstract
Men in sub-Saharan Africa continue to experience health disparities that are exacerbated by low employment. This study qualitatively assessed men's perceptions of the economic and health-care-seeking effects of participation in an integrated microfinance and peer health leadership intervention on violence and HIV risk reduction in Tanzania. Three focus group discussions with 27 men, aged 20 to 44 years, examined the perceived effects on income generation, employability, mental health, and uptake of HIV and related health services. All discussions were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using deductive and inductive coding methods. Men reported that the benefits of the intervention included increased employability and income-earning activities due to greater access to entrepreneurial training, low-interest microfinancing, and male-oriented group supports to start or strengthen their businesses. Increased wages through business or other forms of employment were also attributed to men's lower anxiety and distress as financial providers for their families. However, men indicated that apart from the uptake of free HIV testing services, there was limited change in overall health-care-seeking behavior given the high clinic fees and lost time to earn income when attending routine health visits. Men recommended that future microfinance and health promotion interventions provide larger loan amounts, less frequent repayment intervals, and access to health and social insurance. Microfinance and peer health leadership interventions may help to address economic and health disparities in poor, urban men. Efforts are needed to assist lower income men in accessing financial tools as well as fee-based preventive and health-care services.URL
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1557988320936892Reference Type
Journal ArticleYear Published
2020Journal Title
American Journal of Men's HealthAuthor(s)
Mhando, FrankDovel, Kathryn
Jennings Mayo-Wilson, Larissa
Rwehumbiza, Deusdedit
Thompson, Noah
Nwaozuru, Ucheoma
Rehani, Abubakar
Iwelunmor, Juliet
Nelson, LaRon E.
Conserve, Donaldson F.