Introduction: Efforts to involve men in matters related to women’s health can, in addition to strengthening family relationships, positively impact the quality of reproductive health within the community. Given the significance of this topic, the present study aimed to develop a program to enhance men’s participation in reproductive and sexual health, as well as their integration into the health system.
Methods: This study was conducted in two stages. First, during the diagnostic stage, men’s perceptions of their roles in promoting reproductive and sexual health were assessed, and barriers, resources, and strategies for enhancing men’s participation were identified through a comprehensive review of available sources. This stage consisted of three phases: (a) a review of global implementation programs and influential studies in this field; (b) a qualitative study involving interviews with men and women, experts, and policymakers; and (c) a quantitative assessment to prioritize solutions derived from the qualitative study and literature review. In the second stage, the final prioritization of solutions was determined by expert consensus, utilizing statistical analysis with the Expert Choice software. After selecting solutions and defining program components, the scientific validity of the program was evaluated.
Results: The findings indicated that men had a sound understanding of participation in various aspects of reproductive health; however, a wide array of barriers limited their involvement. The strategies to increase male participation were categorized into four main groups: enhancing educational systems, adopting appropriate health system policies, securing governmental support and advocacy, and implementing socio-cultural policies. Among these, the only strategy that achieved consensus among the expert panel was “providing education on reproductive health to couples by a trained individual.”
Conclusion: The qualitative findings revealed that one of the most significant barriers to men’s participation is a lack of educational and informational resources, which can be addressed by improving educational systems. Currently, premarital education centers are the primary venues where men can access education regarding essential aspects of marital life, including reproductive and sexual health. Integrating the three expert-approved strategies into premarital education programs can effectively enhance men’s participation in reproductive and sexual health.