The main study objectives were to highlight male attitudes and practices regarding safe motherhood, and to demonstrate the
usefulness of qualitative research methods in studying behaviour-related health problems. The setting was Ekiadolor, a semiurban
Nigerian community with an under-resourced district hospital. The study design was a qualitative research, using Focus
Group Discussions (FGDs) with females and the local hospital staff as participants, triangulated with Free Listing Interviews
(FLIs) and group interviews of males. The FGD findings showed a consensus that male practices and attitudes were generally
unsatisfactory, as exemplified by physical violence against females, delay in enabling access to emergency obstetric care and a
general perception that males were uncaring. However, many males paid parts of their partners’ routine obstetric care bills.
These findings were largely corroborated and enriched by those of the FLIs and group interviews, albeit with differing
emphases; they provided vital inputs into health education of the community males. In conclusion, the wide range of attitudes and
practices described, and the socioeconomic settings in which they occur, pose challenges and opportunities for behaviour
change interventions primarily targeting males, poverty reduction and health service reforms. Health researchers are challenged
to draw from the varied strengths of qualitative research methods. (Rev Afr Santé Reprod 2007; 11[1]:76-89)