Table 1.

Issues, consequences, solutions

Concept	Problem (core value)	Consequence(s)	Messages
Communication	Poor communication because husbands  limit conversations with their wives  and wives are culturally constrained  not to discuss problems with their  husbands	Escalating marital tensions create a  difficult household environment and  poor problem solving	Husbands and wives should engage in  joint discussion and solving of  problems
Women’s  health	Women’s health problems are a result of  their own dysfunctional behavior	Women underutilize health care  services until their problems are  severe	Women’s health should be a high  priority
	Money should not be spent on  healthcare of women Women must have as their priority  maintaining the household despite  their health problems		Husbands and wives need to address  women’s health needs as a vital part of  the quality of life for the woman and  the family
Extramarital  sex	Husbands are free to do what they want  and wives should not question their  husbands’ fidelity	Extramarital sex decreases trust and can  convey HIV/STI to husbands  and from husbands to wives	Husbands and wives need to seek sexual  satisfaction at home
Marital sex	Husbands and wives should not talk  about sex Wives should not initiate sex	A lack of sexual satisfaction for women A lack of interest on the part of women  for sex	Men and women should discuss sexual  needs and satisfaction generating  greater sexual interest and satisfaction
	Wives cannot refuse their husbands’  demands for sex	Husbands forcing wives to have sex Women’s concerns about unwanted  pregnancy
Spousal  violence	Husbands and wives accept the view  that husbands should abuse their wives  in order to maintain control in the  household	Negative impact on wives’ emotional  and physical health.	Marital disputes should be addressed  through discussion rather than through  violence resulting in a healthier  household for husband, wife and  children
Empowerment	Women should play a limited role in  decisions made concerning the family,  the household, and the allocation of  resources	Isolation of wives from decision  making lowers wives’ productivity for  the household and does not help men  with the burden of social and  economic support of their families	Women should be partners in the welfare  of the household and encouraged to  pursue supportive relationships and  resources outside of the household for  the benefit of the family