Email this article 
Mapping Husbands’ Social Perceptions on Women’s Reproductive Health: A Systematic Review
(1) Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences, Universitas Muhammadiyah Semarang
(2) Department of Medical, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Muhammadiyah Semarang dan Department of Gynecology, Adhiyatma Hospital, Central Java.
(3) Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences, Universitas Muhammadiyah Semarang
(*) Corresponding Author
Abstract
Background: Husbands’ perceptions significantly influence women’s reproductive health, affecting healthcare-seeking behavior, contraceptive use, antenatal care participation, and maternal outcomes. However, comprehensive mapping of these social perceptions remains limited. Objective: To systematically map and synthesize evidence on husbands’ social perceptions toward women’s reproductive health across diverse cultural settings. Methods: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Literature was searched from Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect databases for articles published between 2021–2025. Keywords used included “husband perception,” “social perception,” “women’s reproductive health,” and “men involvement.” Studies included were qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method research focusing on husbands’ perceptions regarding women’s reproductive health in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and high-income countries (HICs). Data were extracted and thematically synthesized. Results: From 312 identified articles, 6 studies met the inclusion criteria. Three primary themes emerged: (1) Husbands’ knowledge and misconceptions about reproductive health (contraception, maternal care, menstrual health), (2) Cultural and religious beliefs shaping perceptions toward women’s reproductive health, and (3) Husbands’ perceived roles and decision-making power in women’s reproductive healthcare-seeking behaviors. Studies in LMICs reported that patriarchal norms and low health literacy among husbands contribute to delayed reproductive healthcare access. In contrast, studies from HICs highlighted shared decision-making and supportive roles, yet gaps in specific reproductive health knowledge persisted. Conclusion: Husbands’ social perceptions significantly impact women’s reproductive health outcomes. Addressing misconceptions, promoting health literacy, and engaging husbands in reproductive health programs are crucial to improving maternal and reproductive health outcomes globally. Future interventions should integrate culturally sensitive strategies to enhance husbands’ positive involvement in women’s reproductive health.
Keywords
Full Text:
PDFReferences
Abbasi, F., Talebi, M., Jandaghian, M., Negin, B., & Leila, S. (2025). Surviving and thriving : male infertility through the lens of meta ‑ ethnography. Discover Social Science and Health, 5(110), 19. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44155-025-00207-3
Abdullahzadeh, M., Vanaki, Z., Mohammadi, E., & Mohtashami, J. (2023). Exploring men ’ s struggles with infertility : A qualitative content analysis. JAN WILEY, September, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.15958
Ali, T., Crawford, K., Jahanfar, S., & Hampton, K. (2023). Patient Education and Counseling Pregnant persons and birth partners ’ experiences of shared decision-making during pregnancy and childbirth : An umbrella review. Patient Education and Counseling, 114(March), 107832. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2023.107832
Ali, T., Fooladi, E., & Crawford, K. (2025). Women and husbands ’ experiences and expectations of shared decision-making during pregnancy and childbirth in Saudi Arabia : A qualitative study. Midwifery, 148(May), 104533. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2025.104533
Asratie, M. H., Belay, D. G., Alem, A. Z., Chilot, D., & Tsega, N. T. (2024). What are the associated factors of low husbands / partners independent decision- maker in women ’ s contraceptive use decision- making process in Ethiopia ? Multilevel analysis. BMC Public, 24(2185), 12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-19572-w
Dewi, C. H. T., Rahfiluddin, M. Z., Sriatmi, A., & Agushybana, F. (2024). Impact of Online Husband Class on Pregnancy Care Behavior. Universal Journal of Public Health, 12(5), 944–952. https://doi.org/10.13189/ujph.2024.120517
Hernandez, J. H., Babazadeh, S., Anglewicz, P. A., & Akilimali, P. Z. (2022). As long as ( I think ) my husband agrees …: role of perceived partner approval in contraceptive use among couples living in military camps in Kinshasa , DRC Du moment que ( je pense que ) mon mari est d ’ accord …: le rôle de l ’ approbation perçue du con. Reproductive Health, 19(6), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-021-01256-y
Jamilah, S., & Ariani, S. P. (2024). Hubungan Pengetahuan dan Sikap Pasangan Usia Subur Tentang Kesehatan Reproduksi Keluarga Berencana di Wilayah Kecamatan Tabunganen 1,2. Journal Scientific Of Mandalika, 5(11), 469–475.
Jemberie, M. M., Zewdu, M., & Rade, B. K. (2024). Husbands ’ knowledge and involvement in sexual and reproductive health rights of women in Bahir Dar City , Northwest Ethiopia : a community-based study. Frontiers in Public Health, April, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1359756
Khorasani, F., & Iranifard, E. (2025). Gender differences in psychological status of infertile couples : a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Public Health, 25(2131), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-23314-x
Octavia, Y. T., Barus, E., Ria, I., Sidabuke, R., & Purwanti, S. (2025). Keterlibatan Suami Dalam Proses Persalinan Terhadap Kecemasan Ibu Primigravida Kala I. Jurnal Kesehatan Terpadu, 4(2), 64–73.
Peters, M. D. J., Marnie, C., Tricco, A. C., Pollock, D., Munn, Z., Alexander, L., McInerney, P., Godfrey, C. M., & Khalil, H. (2020). Updated methodological guidance for the conduct of scoping reviews. JBI Evidence Synthesis, 18(10), 2119–2126. https://doi.org/10.11124/JBIES-20-00167
Roudsari, R. L., & Goudarzi, F. (2023). Barriers to the participation of men in reproductive health care : a systematic review and meta ‑ synthesis. In BMC Public Health. BioMed Central. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-15692-x
Salsabila, A., Makaginsar, C., & Rosady, D. S. (2024). Perspektif, Pemahaman,Dan Keterlibatan Suami Dalam Program Keluarga Berencana. Jurnal Riset Kedokteran (JRKI), 4(2), 65–72. https://doi.org/10.29313/jrk.v4i2.5005
Sani, H. M., & Ibrahim, A. H. (2024). Health Education Intervention on Husbands ’ Perception Towards Participation in Reproductive Health Services. Indonesian Contemporary Nursing Journal, 8(2), 71–81.
Shaluhiyah, Z., Suryoputro, A., & Indraswari, R. (2023). Factors influencing men’s involvement in maternal and child health: men’s experiences and religious leader’s support in Central Java, Indonesia. Journal of Health Research, 37(5), 349–355. https://doi.org/10.56808/2586-940X.1047
Simbar, M., Ghasemi, V., Taherian, R., Kalhor, M., Mohammadian, F., & Kiani, Z. (2024). Prevalence of anxiety symptoms in infertile men : a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Public Health, 1805(24), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-19299-8
Sugiyono. (2022). Metode Penelitian dan Pengembangan (Research and Development). Alfabeta.
Sylvest, R., Schmidt, L., Pinborg, A., & Ziebe, S. (2025). The emotional experience of men during fertility treatment in Denmark : a qualitative interview study on engagement , hope and loss. Reproductive BioMedicine Online, 105217. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rbmo.2025.105217
Wisesa, Mutmainah;Azzahra, Fatimah;S.Adnani, Q.Estiningsih;Susiarno, H. (2025). Keterlibatan suami yang aktif selama kehamilan. Media Penelitian Dan Pengembangan Kesehatan, 35(2), 543–555. https://doi.org/doi10.34011/jmp2k.v35i2.2837 543
Yuda, R. A. (2024). Peran Keterlibatan Suami Melalui Pengetahuan , Jumlah Anak dan Dukungan dalam Keberhasilan Pemberian ASI Eksklusif Abstrak. Jurnal Ilmiah Kesehatan, 16(September), 469–477.
Yulianto, N. P., Sutiyarsih, E., Prieska, M., & Panglipur, P. (2024). ( The Relationship Between Husband ’ s Knowledge And Husband ’ s Participation In. 8(2), 161–169. https://doi.org/10.37294
Article Metrics
Abstract view : 109 timesPDF - 0 times
DOI: https://doi.org/10.26714/jk.15.1.2026.14-21
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
Copyright (c) 2026 Jurnal Kebidanan
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
JURNAL KEBIDANAN
Program Studi Kebidanan
Fakultas Ilmu Keperawatan dan Kesehatan
Universitas Muhammadiyah Semarang, Indonesia
NRC Building, 2nd FLoor
Jl. Kedungmundu Raya No. 18, Semarang
Tlp. +6224-76740288, Fax. +6224-76740287