Perspectives on Male Participation in Family Planning Services and Use in Shai-Osudoku District

Abstract

Background Family Planning (FP) is a household participative intervention that involves using contraceptives to plan the number, frequency, and timing of pregnancies. It has several direct and indirect benefits, including a decrease in the high rate of unplanned pregnancies, a decrease in the high rate of unsafe abortion, and maternal and neonatal mortality. Men play a very important role in the success of FP. It is therefore necessary to explore the knowledge, attitudes, and influence of males on FP uptake by their partners as well as barriers to male involvement in FP. Methods The study employed a descriptive qualitative study designed to explore the knowledge, attitude, and influence of males in FP uptake by their partners as well as barriers to male involvement in FP in the Shai-Osudoku District. Male partners between the ages of 25-59 were recruited in this study. A purposive sampling technique was used to select two communities within the district after which participants were conveniently selected to participate in the study. A semi structured in-depth interview guide was used to collect the data. Having reached saturation, a total of eighteen interviews were conducted. MAXQDA Analytics Pro Software2020 was used to perform content analysis. Results Participants had inadequate knowledge of family planning. Most of the male partners’ perception was based on the information they received from community members. Attitudes of male partners were based on their own previous experiences or the experiences of others in the use of contraceptives. Male partners influence their spouses to use FP by giving them permission to use it through spousal communication and also giving them financial support, but they do not usually visit the FP clinics with their spouses because they think it is a woman’s affair. The main challenge of male participation in FP was side effects such as irregular menstrual flow, obesity, weight loss, and infections that their partners either experienced or saw other people experience. Other challenges included the failure of the contraceptive methods, misconceptions, and religious beliefs. Some of the participants did not take part in FP activities, however, they were strongly involved in the decision-making regarding FP. According to some male partners, their spouses have used FP at least once but they have discontinued it. While some participants were willing to allow their spouses to use it again in the future, others were strongly against it. Conclusion Male partners did not entirely reject FP. If measures such as adequate education, and reduction of side effects of FP methods are put in place, a lot of male partners will be willing to encourage their spouses to use FP or involve themselves more in FP-related activities and not see it as a woman’s business.