The Extent of Male Partners’ Participation in Family Planning: A Case of Tarime District, Tanzania

Abstract

This study sought to examine the extent of male partners’ participation in family planning in Tarime District, Tanzania. The study adapted a mixed research design to generate data through in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and questionnaires. The instruments were employed to 312 respondents. The analysis was done using descriptive statistics and thematic approach. The major findings indicated that men were the major decision makers within the household because in many situations, they owned the family income and they were the breadwinners. Study participants had different perceptions of family planning methods but generally, fear of side effects was found to be the major hindrance to enhanced use of family planning methods. Furthermore, some people associated the use of family planning with unfaithfulness or promiscuity. The study recommends that it is important to consider the multiplicity of social realities in the efforts to improve the acceptability of the modern family planning services. In addition, efforts need to be intensified to encourage partner communication and engagement in order to improve the family planning practices. Future family planning programs should look at addressing underlying social norms leading to gender inequality and lack of joint decision-making. Finally, family planning programs should encourage communication and joint decision-making among couples in households.