Male Partner Involvement In Family Planning In Ga Central Municipality In The Greater Accra Region Of Ghana
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Date
2019-07
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Publisher
University of Ghana
Abstract
Background: until recently, in developing nations, fertility and family planning research, policies and programs were targeted at women. Currently, attention is increasingly being paid to the incorporation of males into family planning programs and research. Though females bear kids and most modern contraceptives are for them, men also bear the financial responsibility of looking after their wives and children. This study sought to investigate male partner participation in family planning in the Ga Central Municipal Assembly. The specific objective includes determining the level of involvement of male partners, examining factors that affect their participation.
Objectives: the objectives of this study are to determine the level of male partners’ involvement in family planning, examine factors that influence their participation and barriers to their participation in the Ga Central Municipality of the Greater Accra Region.
Method: the study used cross-sectional design with quantitative approach to data collection to explore involvement of male partners in family planning. A total sample size of 394 respondents were recruited by from the Ga Central Municipal Assembly. Descriptive bivariate and binary logistic regression analysis were performed to establish the relationship between independent variables (the couples’ socio-demographic characteristics, level of knowledge) and the dependent (male involvement in family planning) outcome variable. A p-value of <0.05 with 95%CI is accepted as statistically significant association between the independent and the dependent variables.
Results: the research results indicates that about a third (30%) of males had the low level of knowledge of family planning and 7% high. Male education, male and female occupation, males’ level of knowledge and the community acceptance of male participation in family planning are significantly associated with male involvement in family planning. Additionally, there was quite poor spousal communication and stigma about male contraceptive uses, male education and occupation, level of knowledge, community perception was associated with males’ involvement in family planning.
Conclusion: in conclusion, the level of male partner involvement in FP in the GCMA are as follows; 60% of participants had low interest, 21% were moderately involved whiles only 19% were highly involved in FP. Some of the reasons why males participate in FP were to stop child birth, to delay pregnancy, to achieve a desired family size, to prevent STIs and affordability of family planning services. Lastly, factors such as male partner’s education and occupation, female occupation, knowledge level of male on family planning and community acceptance of male participation in family planning were found to be influencing male partner’s involvement in FP.
Description
MPH Degree
Keywords
Family Planning, Ga Central Municipality, Male Partner Involvement, Greater Accra Region