Understanding barriers to men’s support for family planning in rural Ethiopia—findings from the USAID Transform: Primary Health Care Project Gender Analysis

Abstract

Background Evidence suggests that supportive male engagement in health care services, including family planning, remains low in many countries, despite known benefits for female partners. In 2017–2018, the United States Agency for International Development Transform: Primary Health Care Project conducted a participatory gender analysis, collecting relevant data to better understand Ethiopian men’s lack of support for the uptake of family planning services. Methods Qualitative data were collected through 96 unique participatory group discussions with community members via a semistructured discussion guide and participatory activity; data were disaggregated by sex, age, and marital status. In-depth interviews (91) conducted with service providers, health system managers, and health extension workers used semistructured guides. Discussants and interviewees were selected purposefully, drawn from 16 rural woredas in four project regions: Amhara; Oromia; Tigray; and Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ Region. Data collectors took notes and transcribed audio recordings. The research team deductively and inductively coded transcripts to develop preliminary findings later validated by key technical project staff and stakeholders. Results Findings reinforce existing knowledge on the dominant role of men in health care–related decision making in rural Ethiopia, although such decision making is not always unilateral in practice. Barriers at the societal level impede men’s support for family planning; these include norms, values, and beliefs around childbearing; religious beliefs rooted in scriptural narratives; and perceived adverse health impacts of family planning. Lack of efforts to engage men in health care facilities, as well as the perception that health care facilities do not meet men’s needs, highlight systems-level barriers to men’s use of family planning services. Conclusions Findings indicate several opportunities for stakeholders to increase men’s support for family planning in rural Ethiopia, including systems-wide approaches to shape decision making, social and behavior change communication efforts, and additional research and assessment of men’s experiences in accessing health care services.

Community perceptions, beliefs and factors determining family planning uptake among men and women in Ekiti State, Nigeria: finding from a descriptive exploratory study

“…As described in previous studies,22 25 many respondents also noted in this present study that most husbands would not agree with their partners to do family planning. A study done in Ethiopia reinforces the domineering influence of men in family planning-related decisions 26. These further bring to bear the importance of creating awareness and engaging men in family planning activities.…”

“…A study done in Ethiopia reinforces the domineering influence of men in family planning-related decisions. 26 These further bring to bear the importance of creating awareness and engaging men in family planning activities.…”

Sexual and reproductive health in Ethiopia: gains and reflections over the past two decades

“…Sedlander et al explore determinants of misconceptions around contraceptive methods and provide insight into pathways to self-efficacy for FP use [ 9 ]. Smith et al and Kapadia-Kundu et al explore social and gender norms that influence FP use, highlighting the role of men’s support and equitable couples’ communication and decision making as key facilitators of FP use [ 10 , 11 ].…”