Determinants of family planning uptake among men in Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Adoption of family planning by men or their spouses many times is influenced by men particularly in developing countries. This is despite evidence that reduction of maternal mortality and morbidity is tied to family planning use. In order to design programmes that enhance adoption of family planning methods by men, this study was carried out to identify determinants of family planning uptake among them.

Methodology: A cross sectional survey of 259 men aged 15-65 years with at least one child less than 3 years of age was conducted employing a multistage sampling technique. Information was collected on socio-demographic characteristics, awareness, perception of family planning and use. Data were analysed with SPSS version 22 using descriptive and inferential statistics. Level of significance was set at 5%.

Results: Contraceptive awareness was high (93.1%), with use moderate (56.0%).About half (51.4%) believed that the decision to use family planning methods is for men while 41.7% would communicate with their wives about the need for either partner to use family planning and 44.0% knew where to obtain commodities. Monogamy, primary education and having three to five children were associated with use (p 0.05). Education (OR 0.43, 95% C.I 0.20-0.94) and number of children (OR 2.22, 95% C.I 1.09-4.51) were predictors of use.

Conclusion: Family planning use is not commensurate with knowledge with very little adoption of joint decision making.Spousal communication is necessary to facilitate method use as well as programmes that highlight communication strategies and foster joint reproductive health decision making.

Keywords: Family planning, Men, Spousal communication, Reproductive health decision making