MALE SPOUSES’ SUPPORT OF FAMILY PLANNING (FP) UPTAKE BY WIVES: THE ROLE OF SOCIO-BIOGRAPHICAL MEDIATORS

Abstract

The study analyzed the influence socio-demographical variables on male spouses’ support of family planning (FP) uptake by wives in Ibadan North East Local Government area of Oyo State. Six research questions were raised to assist the research. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design of the ex-post facto type. The multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 400 respondents. A self-developed questionnaire with four sub-sections was used to collect data. Date was analyzed using simple percentages and frequency counts for demographic information about the respondents, while research questions were tested using descriptive statistics and regression analysis. The results showed that the level of the involvement of men in family planning procedures of their wives was high. Also, it was revealed that education (F_4/387 = 16.362; P < .05), age (F_5/387 = 20.252; P < .05), occupation (F_5/387 = 7.758, P < .05), nature of marriage (F_2/387 = 18.034, P < .05), and preferred family size (F_4/387 = 20.336, P < .05) were significant in determining male spouse involvement in family planning procedures of their wives. It is therefore concluded that any failure of male spouse to support the family planning procedures of their wives has little or no cultural undertone. Rather, it is a matter of choice and mere attitude/negative misconception and/or perceptions towards family planning, and that FP is a woman’s affair.

Keywords: Socio-demographical variables, male spouses, support, family planning (FP) uptake