Family Planning from a Male Perspective: Observations from a Community-Based Cross-sectional Study in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

Abstract

Traditionally, family planning has been considered in the context of maternal and child health, although men play a dominant role in all matters related to reproductive decision-making. This study is carried out to assess the attitude and participation in family planning among currently married males and identify factors influencing the acceptance of male contraception. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Chennai in October 2018, which included 180 currently married men by systematic random sampling of eligible couples in the field practice area of Sanjeevarayanpet Primary Health Center (UPHC). Data was collected through a self-administered questionnaire in the local language and analyzed using SPSS version 16. Absolute and relative frequencies were estimated for descriptive data while correlates were tested for statistical significance using Pearson or Trend Chi-square tests. Study participants considered two children (82%) and spacing of at least 2 years (95%) as ideal, with spousal communication regarding family planning considered essential by a two-thirds majority. Among the 117 men who reported ever using contraception as a couple, 69% had used a condom vs. 42% and 30% for female spacing methods and tubectomy, respectively. Vasectomy, with nil acceptors, was considered acceptable by only 21% of men. Education, per-capita income, and spousal communication were seen to positively influence male contraceptive use. While married men show considerable commitment to family planning decision-making and practice, the stigma and misconceptions surrounding vasectomy have become ever more prominent. There is a need for the community and the health care system to work together to promote gender equity in family planning.