Healthy mothers, healthy futures: Exploring the influence of healthcare providers and male partners on pregnant 'women's dietary practices

Background Maternal dietary practices during pregnancy remain suboptimal in Rwanda, particularly in the Southern Province. Support from healthcare providers delivering antenatal care and male partners within the household plays a critical role in shaping these practices. However, limited evidence exists on how such support is provided and the challenges encountered. This study explored how healthcare providers and male partners support pregnant women’s dietary practices in the Southern Province of Rwanda. Methods: An exploratory qualitative study was conducted in eight health centres (rural and urban) in Southern Province, Rwanda. Data were collected through eight in-depth interviews with antenatal care nurses and midwives and four focus group discussions with male partners of pregnant women (n = 28). Audio-recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim, translated into English, and analysed using thematic analysis with a hybrid inductive and deductive approach. Results: Three major themes emerged. First, modalities of support included emotional, educational, and material support provided by male partners and healthcare providers. Second, barriers to support comprised limited nutrition knowledge, gender norms and cultural beliefs, health system constraints, and economic and food insecurity. Third, suggested strategies to improve maternal dietary practices included strengthening male partner involvement, addressing socioeconomic barriers, and enhancing health system capacity for nutrition counselling. Conclusion: Maternal dietary practices during pregnancy are influenced by household and community factors, particularly male partner support and sociocultural norms, as well as health system and structural constraints. Strengthening antenatal nutrition services, actively engaging male partners, and addressing food and economic insecurity may improve dietary practices among pregnant women in Southern Province, Rwanda.