Barriers to male involvement in contraceptive uptake and reproductive health services: a qualitative study of men and women’s perceptions in two rural districts in Uganda

Reproductive Health

Lynn Atuyambe⁵  James Ntozi¹  Gorette Nalwadda⁴  Alice Reid²  Larissa Jennings³  Allen Kabagenyi¹ 

[1] Center for Population and Statistics, College of Business and Management Sciences, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda;Department of Geography, University of Cambridge, Downing Pl, Cambridge CB2 3EN, UK;Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Social and Behavioral Interventions, 615 N. Wolfe Street, E5038, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA;Department of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda;Department of Community and Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7062, Kampala, Kampala, Uganda

关键词: Uganda;    Qualitative research;    Reproductive health;    Family planning;    Contraception;    Male involvement;   

Others  :  820058
DOI  :  10.1186/1742-4755-11-21

 received in 2013-06-16, accepted in 2014-02-25,  发布年份 2014

【 摘 要 】

Background

Spousal communication can improve family planning use and continuation. Yet, in countries with high fertility rates and unmet need, men have often been regarded as unsupportive of their partner’s use of family planning methods. This study examines men and women’s perceptions regarding obstacles to men’s support and uptake of modern contraceptives.

Methods

A qualitative study using 18 focus group discussions (FGDs) with purposively selected men aged 15–54 and women aged 15–49 as well as eight key informant interviews (KIIs) with government and community leaders was conducted in 2012 in Bugiri and Mpigi Districts, Uganda. Open-ended question guides were used to explore men and women’s perceptions regarding barriers to men’s involvement in reproductive health. All FGDs and KIIs were recorded, translated, and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were coded and analyzed thematically using ATLAS.ti.

Results

Five themes were identified as rationale for men’s limited involvement: (i) perceived side effects of female contraceptive methods which disrupt sexual activity, (ii) limited choices of available male contraceptives, including fear and concerns relating to vasectomy, (iii) perceptions that reproductive health was a woman’s domain due to gender norms and traditional family planning communication geared towards women, (iv) preference for large family sizes which are uninhibited by prolonged birth spacing; and (v) concerns that women’s use of contraceptives will lead to extramarital sexual relations. In general, knowledge of effective contraceptive methods was high. However, lack of time and overall limited awareness regarding the specific role of men in reproductive health was also thought to deter men’s meaningful involvement in issues related to fertility regulation.

Conclusion

Decision-making on contraceptive use is the shared responsibility of men and women. Effective development and implementation of male-involvement family planning initiatives should address barriers to men’s supportive participation in reproductive health, including addressing men's negative beliefs regarding contraceptive services.

【 授权许可】

   
2014 Kabagenyi et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

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