Attitudes toward and Use of Knowledge about Family Planning among Ghanaian Men

Abstract

This study examines knowledge of and attitudes about family planning and its use by a convenience sample of men in Ghana. It considers sociocultural factors such as spousal communication and cultural misconceptions about family planning that contribute to the low level of male involvement in use of contraceptives by men in Ghana. The findings indicate that demographic factors such as education, religion, types of marital relationship, and exposure to mass-media education have significant effects on the participants’ increased knowledge, changing attitudes, and practices of family planning and reproductive decision-making. The study identifies sociocultural misconceptions resulting from lack of knowledge and education as the main deterrents for the use of different family planning methods including vasectomy. The study calls for further research and male-friendly programs that would clarify myths surrounding the use of contraceptive devices, their benefits and effects on the physiology of the users.