Who is most vulnerable? Factors associated with presenting to antenatal care without a male partner in Northern Tanzania.

The study observed associations at one antenatal visit and did not test whether male partner attendance policies caused delay or whether changing clinic practice improves outcomes. Findings were self-reported and could be affected by social desirability, although audio computer-assisted self-interviews were used to reduce this. The analysis focused on women's characteristics and did not measure male partners' attitudes, masculinity, or reasons for not attending. The sample was from urban clinics in one region of Tanzania, so it may not apply to other settings. The paper says 32 women living with HIV were excluded from analysis, but later describes and analyses 1007 participants, so the final analysed sample is unclear. Gestational age was based on self-reported last menstrual period, not clinical dating.

The supplied text gives no funding or competing-interest declaration; the metadata labels the work as NIH extramural research support.

Do not conclude that requiring male partners improves care or that women without partners are responsible for delayed presentation. The study did not test the policy and only showed that partner presence was associated with earlier gestational age.