Male involvement in family planning use and associated factors among currently married men in rural Eastern Ethiopia

Abstract

Introduction/Objectives: Male involvement in family planning refers to all organizational actions focused on men as a distinct group to increase the acceptability and uptake of family planning among either sex. Despite the growing evidence of male involvement in increasing family planning uptake among couples, a little success has been achieved in Ethiopia, especially in rural areas. Hence, this study aimed to assess male involvement in family planning and its associated factors among currently married men in selected rural areas of Eastern Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among 577 randomly selected currently married men, using a simple random sampling method in randomly selected rural districts of Eastern Ethiopia. Data were collected using a pretested interviewer-administered questionnaire. The collected data were entered into a computer using Epi-Data Version 3.1. The analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the social sciences software version 21. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the association between the dependent and independent variables. Finally, adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence intervals at P-value < 0.05 was considered to be significantly associated with the outcome variable. Results: Out of 577, a total of, 555 married men were included in the study, resulting in a response rate of 96.2%. The magnitude of male involvement in family planning use was 59.3% (95% confidence interval: 47.1, 68. 2). Ever use of family planning by a spouse (adjusted odds ratio: 2.37; 95% confidence interval: 1.59, 3.52), ever discussion of spouse on sexual and reproductive health/family planning issues (adjusted odds ratio: 2.05; 95% confidence interval: 1.40, 3.02), and the husband’s approval of family planning (adjusted odds ratio: 2.45; 95% confidence interval: 1.34, 4.96) were significantly associated with higher odds of male involvement in family planning use than their counterparts. Conclusion: The number of men involved in the family planning was low. Ever use of family planning methods by a spouse, ever discussion of spouse on sexual and reproductive health/family planning issues, and husband approval on family planning use were found to be important predictors of male involvement in family planning use. To improve modern family planning uptake among men and women, it is imperative to include men in family planning programs, such as family planning messaging, sensitizations, and services.

Male Involvement in Family Planning Decisions in Malawi and Tanzania: What Are the Determinants?

“…It is now necessary to actively encourage fathers and male community members to help care for women and support their family in receiving adequate and improved healthcare. There is a positive correlation between male participation in family planning decisions and improved maternal and child health outcomes, according to a number of studies [ 80 , 81 ]. To achieve universal access to reproductive health care services, as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, it is crucial to increase access to contraception and ensure that the demand for FP is satisfied when utilizing effective contraceptive methods.…”

“…To achieve universal access to reproductive health care services, as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, it is crucial to increase access to contraception and ensure that the demand for FP is satisfied when utilizing effective contraceptive methods. Despite numerous coordinated efforts and success in increasing access to contraception, there are still significant obstacles to overcome [ 79 , 80 ]. Women’s empowerment, health, and gender equality are some of the related 17 SDGs goals/targets and the 2030 Agenda.…”

Male partner influence on Women's choices and utilisation of family planning services in Mufulira district, Zambia

“…Evidence suggests that male partner involvement in family planning can help improve contraception uptake among women [ 10 , 15 ]. This is essential in reducing community-related stigma because in some cultures accessing contraception is regarded as a woman's responsibility [ 16 , 17 ].…”

Attitude of reproductive age women towards male involvement in family planning; a community-based cross-sectional study in Nakawa Division, Kampala, Uganda

“…The male's partner appreciation of FP services could go a long way to encourage female patronage of FP services. Mulatu et al [34] reported that male's involvement in discussions on FP, sexual and reproductive health, and approval from husbands on the use of FP were positive factors for FP use. On participants' attitudes towards male involvement in FP services, our study showed that most of the women had favourable attitudes towards males' involvement in FP services.…”

“…The male’s partner appreciation of FP services could go a long way to encourage female patronage of FP services. Mulatu et al [34] reported that male’s involvement in discussions on FP, sexual and reproductive health, and approval from husbands on the use of FP were positive factors for FP use.…”