Abstract
BackgroundMen in developing countries play an important role in the adoption of family planning (FP), either as actual users or supporters of their partners. Notwithstanding the universal knowledge on the contraceptive methods, their approval and use have been low among men in Tanzania. This study determined the magnitude and factors that influence men to use or approve the use of modern contraceptive methods with their spouses.MethodsA cross sectional, community-based study was conducted in Kibaha, Pwani region in 2014. A total of 365 randomly selected married and cohabiting men; aged 18 to 60 years who had at least a child below the age of 5 years were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were performed and associations between status of men using modern FP with their partners and potential factors were tested using Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests as appropriate. Logistic regression model was fitted to determine significant factors associated with male use of the methods with their partners.ResultsAbout 60 % of men (59.7%) reported to use modern FP methods. In the bivariate analysis, education level (odds ratio (OR) = 2.6, CI = 1.4–4.8; p = 0.002); men knowledge on any contraceptive method (OR = 24.1, CI = 7.3–79.9; p < 0.001); awareness of a nearby FP clinic (OR = 6.2, CI = 3.1–12.3; p < 0.001); number of children (OR = 2, CI = 1.1–3.6; p < 0.025) and presence of a provider during clinic visit (OR = 12.0, CI = 2.26–63.7; p < 0.004) were significantly associated with the use of FP. However, in the multivariable analysis, only knowledge on FP methods (adjusted odds ratios (AOR) =26.4; CI = 7.9–88.4, p < 0.001) and number of children a man had (AOR = 1.9; CI = 1.0–3.6, p = 0.039) remained significantly associated with the use of modern FP methods.ConclusionThis study has shown that for men to use family planning methods with their partners, knowledge of FP methods and number of children are critical factors. Visiting a FP center alone or with a spouse, and availability of FP provider (during visit) also influence this practice. These findings emphasize a need to increase knowledge on contraception and family planning services access among men.
Highlights
Men in developing countries play an important role in the adoption of family planning (FP), either as actual users or supporters of their partners
Use of modern FP by sociodemographic characteristics According to self-reports, about 60% (218/365) of all respondents were using any FP methods with their spouses
This study has shown that knowledge of FP methods among men and the number of children they have, play a significant role on the use of FP methods with their partners
Summary
Men in developing countries play an important role in the adoption of family planning (FP), either as actual users or supporters of their partners. Notwithstanding the universal knowledge on the contraceptive methods, their approval and use have been low among men in Tanzania. This study determined the magnitude and factors that influence men to use or approve the use of modern contraceptive methods with their spouses. Family planning (FP) use in Tanzania remains low. Tanzania is among ten countries with the highest number of maternal and neonatal deaths [2]. The current maternal mortality ratio is 556 deaths per 100,000 live births and neonatal mortality rate is estimated at 25 per 1000 live births [3]. For example infant and neonatal mortality rates associated with AIDS could be averted by preventing unintended pregnancies and mother-tochild transmission of HIV [5, 6]
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