Male Involvement in Family Planning in Some Selected Rural Communities in the Enugu East Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nigeria
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Abstract
Background: Men's involvement in family planning has the potential to enhance its recognition, acceptance, and uptake, particularly in rural Nigerian communities like Enugu, where men dominate household decisions, including family planning choices. Many men may determine whether their wives use family planning and which methods are adopted.
Objectives: To determine the percentage of men who practice family planning in the studied communities, identify factors affecting men’s involvement in these communities, define the nature of men’s participation in family planning, and identify the family planning methods most commonly adopted by men in these communities.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study descriptive survey of 360 married men using a structured questionnaire to assess their family planning participation, influencing factors, and preferred methods. Data were analyzed descriptively (frequencies, percentages) and inferentially (chi-square test) to examine links between sociodemographic variables (age, education, occupation, religion) and family planning engagement. A four-point Likert scale measured involvement levels, with item means compared to a criterion mean.
Results: Only 46% of men practiced family planning. Key barriers included limited knowledge, few male contraceptive options, poor education, and cultural/religious influences. Common methods were withdrawal, condoms, and vasectomy. Socioeconomic factors significantly affected participation, with 24.7% regularly using contraceptives and 35.3% supporting family planning decisions. The findings highlight the need for male-inclusive family planning programs to improve uptake by addressing knowledge gaps and sociocultural barriers.
Conclusion: Male family planning participation is limited, necessitating targeted education, expanded contraceptive options, and strategies addressing socio-demographic influences.
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