Male Involvement in Postpartum Family Planning in Abokobi Sub-Municipality of Ga East Municipal Assembly

Abstract

Background: Male involvement in reproductive health and family planning intervention is key for successful outcome; however, most family planning programmes have been mainly women centered. Meanwhile, males are also key decision makers in the African setting. This study assessed the level of knowledge of males in postpartum family planning, determined the proportion of males involved in postpartum family and determined the factors that were associated with male involvement in postpartum family planning planning in Abokobi sub-Municipality of Ga East Municipal Assembly, Ghana. Methods: A community based cross-sectional study design and quantitative research approach were carried out involving 403 males in households using structured questionnaires. Random sampling method was used to select eight out of eighteen communities in the Abokobi sub municipal. A random walk method was used in selecting the houses and eligible respondents. In a situation where eligible respondents were more than one in the same household, the ballot system was applied. STATA software version 15 was used to analyze the data collected. Univariate analysis was used to describe the variables. Bivariate analysis using Chi square was performed to test the associations between independent variables and male involvement in postpartum family planning. Multiple logistic regression was carried out using the factors that were significant at the bivariate level, crude and adjusted odds ratio were computed and statistical significance was accepted at p≤0.05. Results: The results of this study showed that the proportion of men involved in postpartum family planning was 64%. The proportion who had adequate knowledge of postpartum family planning was 93.6%. The educational level of wife (AOR=3.28; CI=1.44-7.47), number of wives (AOR=0.16; CI =0.08-0.35) and average monthly income (AOR=3.96; 95% CI =1.61-9.75) were the factors found to be significantly associated with male involvement in postpartum family planning. Conclusion: The proportion of males involved in PPFP in Abokobi Sub-Municipality of Ga East Municipal Assembly is above average. Males involved in PPFP also have adequate knowledge and FP activities in the Municipality is prominent.