Determinants of Men’s Involvement in Sexual and Reproductive Health in Nigeria

Abstract

For too long men’s role has been seen as marginal in the area of sexual and reproductive health (SRH). Despite the decision from the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), and the place of men in reproductive health (RH), the notion of many health-care providers that men are uninterested in taking responsibility for family planning and other RH issues still persists.  This study explored factors that influence male involvement in reproductive health. Qualitative methodswere used to collect data using in-depth interviews and focus group discussions involving twelve in-depth interviews and ten focus group discussions. Six in-depth interviews each were conducted in Adamawa and Bauchi States respectively, comprising four for males and two for females.  Five Focus group discussions each were also conducted in Adamawa and Bauchi States. Three of the FGDs in each state had all males and two had all females. The study found out that religion, pursuit of confidentiality, culture, contraceptive types, concentration of programming on women, and male egocentrism play a role in decreasing male involvement in RH services. Other factors which positively influence male participation in SRH health are: sports activities through using sporting activities to pass RH messages, home videos with RH messages, music which pass RH messages, attempts at reducing family size, fear of and awareness of STIs & HIV/AIDS, increased level of RH programmes which provide testing for STIs and HIV/AIDS, treatment and care together and awareness of reproductive health issues.The study concludes by recommending that there should be emphasis on men's participation in reproductive health since this could help draw attention to the need to do more for women as well. In other words, policies to increase men's participation may help improve women's programmes because more men would understand what SRH entailed and support better reproductive health care for women, as well as for themselves.

Keywords: Qualitative Study, Male involvement, Sexual Reproductive Health, Adamawa and Bauchi