Table 4 Thematic analysis on topics covered during pre-MC, Lusaka district, Zambia 2019

Pillars of Marriage

e.g. Love and care, respect, communication, problem resolution, faithfulness and forgiveness.

Respect for my husband know what my husband wants and likes, love faithfulness (R138, Female).

How to take care of each other, how to solve problems… (R64, Female).

How to respect elders, how to love my wife and how to treat in laws (R20, Male).

How to live with a woman no fighting or chasing the woman…(R135, Male).

Bedroom Matters

e.g. Sexual relationship, personal grooming and confidentiality.

… how to dance or issues of the bedroom (R29, Female).

…how to keep secrets (R48, Female).

…how to please my husband sexually (R5, Female).

Home Management

e.g. House chores, income (upkeep), budgeting and raising children

All aspects of marriage such as managing the home, providing for the home, sex and so on (R52, Male).

…how to cook how to care for a man because men do not know how to look after themselves (R65, Female).

How to budget with my partner… (R100, Male).

Social Conduct

e.g. Behaviour and company, respect and support extended family.

…how to receive relatives, how to respect in laws and how to live happily with other people (R132, Female).

Once married the type of people to associate with… (R100, Male).

How to take care of the family, how to behave like someone who is married, duty and responsibility of a husband (R32, Male).

Social Norms

e.g. Submission, humility, obedience, leadership and authority.

Submission and respect for your husband… (R131, Female).

… how to be obedient and humble… (R21, Female).

… that the man is the head of the house (R66, Female).

…how to kneel before him and thank him (R91, Female).

Family Planning

e.g. Births spacing, Family size and FP Methods

They told me once I give birth I should go back to them they show me which family planning to use and they told me not to continuously have children (R38, Female).

…they taught me about it and the need to ensure that we weigh ourselves and not just have children anyhow (R63, Female).

They explained to me why it was important for us to space births so that they grow properly (R91, Female).