Abstract
BackgroundThere is growing recognition of the need for interventions that effectively involve men and boys to promote family planning behaviours. Evidence suggests that the most effective behavioural interventions in this field are founded on theoretical principles of behaviour change and gender equality. However, there are few evidence syntheses on how theoretical approaches are applied in this context that might guide best practice in intervention development. This review addresses this gap by examining the application and reporting of theories of behaviour change used by family planning interventions involving men and boys.MethodsWe adopted a systematic rapid review approach, scoping findings of a previously reported evidence and gap map of intervention reviews (covering 2007–2018) and supplementing this with searches of academic databases and grey literature for reviews and additional studies published between 2007 and 2020. Studies were eligible for inclusion if their title, abstract or keywords referred to a psychosocial or behavioural intervention targeting family planning behaviours, involved males in delivery, and detailed their use of an intervention theory of change.ResultsFrom 941 non-duplicate records identified, 63 were eligible for inclusion. Most records referenced interventions taking place in low- and middle-income countries (65%). There was a range of intervention theories of change reported, typically targeting individual-level behaviours and sometimes comprising several behaviour change theories and strategies. The most commonly identified theories were Social Cognitive Theory, Social Learning Theory, the Theory of Planned Behaviour, and the Information-Motivation-Behaviour Skills (IMB) Model. A minority of records explicitly detailed gender-informed elements within their theory of change.ConclusionOur findings highlight the range of prevailing theories of change used for family planning interventions involving men and boys, and the considerable variability in their reporting. Programmers and policy makers would be best served by unified reporting and testing of intervention theories of change. There remains a need for consistent reporting of these to better understand how complex interventions that seek to involve men and boys in family planning may lead to behaviour change.
Highlights
There is growing recognition of the need for interventions that effectively involve men and boys to promote family planning behaviours
Family planning (FP) programmes have focused on the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls, and while this is necessary, it has contributed to the exclusion of men and boys from FP programmes
Study and intervention characteristics Of the 63 records included in this review, 21 were reports of individual pieces of research; 32 were systematic reviews of interventions; 8 were methodological reports or technical papers related to an intervention or programme, and 2 were review commentaries on FP interventions and services
Summary
There is growing recognition of the need for interventions that effectively involve men and boys to promote family planning behaviours. There are few evidence syntheses on how theoretical approaches are applied in this context that might guide best practice in intervention development This review addresses this gap by examining the application and reporting of theories of behaviour change used by family planning interventions involving men and boys. Planning (FP) interventions aim to provide information and skills to enable individuals to achieve their desired family size and effectively plan the timing of births This is essential to achieving reproductive health and rights for women and families [1]. Programmers and national strategies have sought to do this by widening provision, tailoring and adapting programmes, and encouraging male participation Despite this progress, it remains that the role of men is often relegated to that of supporting their female partners in FP decision-making, rather than being active users of FP methods themselves [4]. Men and boys are still underserved and under-involved in FP programming even though there is increasing evidence that they can play a key role in FP intervention effectiveness, increasing uptake of FP, and enabling maternal SRHR [4, 5]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
