Male Involvement in Family Planning and Associated Factors among Marriedin Malegedo Town West Shoa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background:- Men  are not only act as decision-makers for women and children’s access to health services, but also through abuse or neglect, men’s actions can have a direct bearing on the health of their female partners and children. Historically most reproductive health program focused on family planning and in turn, most family planning program offered their services exclusively to women but Influencing males’ attitude is critical to increase contraceptive prevalence in the society. The aim of this study was to determine married male involvement in family planning in Gedo Town.

Results: - The complete response rate was 95%.Out of total respondents 94.9% were Oromo with the mean age of 40 years. From total study respondents about 54% respondents with 95%CI of (47.4 - 59.7%) had good knowledge. the prevalence of decision making power by both husband and wife together and current use of family planning with 95% CI were 40.8%(34.6-46) and 30.9%(24.9-36.4) respectively

The prevalence of male involvement on family planning was 36% with 95% CI of (30-41.2) with independent predictor of discussion with partner (AOR= 5.18,), current use of family planning (AOR=2.82), informing partner or other to use contraceptive (AOR=3.36) and had information the presence of contraceptive for male (AOR=2.57) respectively.

Methods:- A community based cross-sectional study design with quantitative data collection methods were employed from April 5 to April 15/2015. All households who were having married men in Gedo town were labelled and household number codes were given. The study participants were selected by using simple random sampling computer generated technique. Both bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to identify associated factors. The results were presented by using tables, figures and narratives.

Conclusion:- This study revealed the married male’s level of knowledge about modern family planning in Gedo town was very low; about half (46.0%) respondents have poor knowledge about modern family planning   and  more than have of the respondents  which 70.1% of males hadn’t ever used contraceptives and males involvement in family planning were very low with the independent predictors of  attending health education, discussion with partner about family planning, educational level and had information about male contraceptive respectively. Therefore, these factors would be emphatically considered during development of male Family planning and family reproductive programs by policy makers and health planners.

Keywords: Male involvement, Family planning, Gedo, Ethiopia