Abstract
Background: In a male dominated society women bear the brunt and carry the burden of reproductive ill health which can be prevented to a certain extent by active participation of men. It necessitated more research work to study mens reproductive health and family planning practices encompassing both rural and urban male with a community based approach. There was a dearth of studies particularly in West Bengal and North-East on this matter. Objectives: To find out the prevalence of different contraceptive methods among the married males whose wife is in reproductive age group and to determine associated socio-demographic factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in rural and urban areas of Siliguri Sub-division of northern West Bengal for one year. Multi staged sampling was followed. A total of 298 married males were interviewed by house to house visit with help of a pretested , predesigned, semi-structured schedule encompassing socio-demographic profile and family planning and based on Demographic Health Survey . Results: Majority of the study subjects were semi-professional. Majorities were Hindu and belonged to general caste. 68.8% were currently using any forms of contraception with OCP being the most popular. Absolute majority among both the urban and rural subjects felt both husband and wife should decide jointly on number of future children. Conclusion : Quite high percentages of males were adopting family planning .No significant urban- rural difference existed regarding current practice of family planning. Although, significant difference existed regarding socio demographic profile.
Highlights
Importance of incorporating men in family planning lies on –equity in gender relations and responsible sexual behavior that highly stresses the need for men’s active involvement in family planning.[1]
In a male dominated society, skewed male: female sex ratio, increasing number of women with sexually transmitted infections (STIs)/HIV despite being in monogamous relationships, ever increasing unintended pregnancies and induced abortions including unsafe abortions, high maternal and infant mortality, suggest that women bear the brunt and carry the burden of reproductive ill health which can be prevented to a certain extent by active participation of men.[1]
The International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) agenda was endorsed by making the RCH program making it gender sensitive.[1]
Summary
Importance of incorporating men in family planning lies on –equity in gender relations and responsible sexual behavior that highly stresses the need for men’s active involvement in family planning.[1]. In India, men play a dominant and many a times decisive role in allowing women’s access to reproductive health.[1] Data from NFHS-3 showed that men’s perspective about family planning may influence their partner’s eventual adoption of contraceptive method. It necessitated more research work to study men’s reproductive health and family planning practices encompassing both rural and urban male with a community based approach. 68.8% were currently using any forms of contraception with OCP being the most popular Absolute majority among both the urban and rural subjects felt both husband and wife should decide jointly on number of future children. Conclusion: Quite high percentages of males were adopting family planning .No significant urban- rural difference existed regarding current practice of family planning.
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