Factors Associated With The levels of Male Involvement In The Use Of Contraceptives By Males and Females In Nagongera Town Coulcil Tororo District,Uganda.

Abstract

Introduction: Every day more than 1,600 women and more than 10,000 new-born babies die from preventable complications during pregnancy and childbirth worldwide. As the first pillar of safe motherhood and an essential component of primary health care, contraceptive use plays a major role in reducing maternal and new-born morbidity and mortality. However, traditional beliefs, religious barriers and lack of male involvement have weakened family planning interventions. The major aim of this study was to examine factors associated with the level of male involvement in the use of contraceptives by males and females in Nagongera Town council Tororo district. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that used both quantitative and qualitative methods. The study targeted a population of males 18-59 years who were using a contraceptive and men whose wives were using a contraceptive or men who were supporting their male peers to use a contraceptive and females 18-49 years who were using contraceptives at the time of the study.252 respondents were sampled; 242 community members and 10 health officials for quantitative and qualitative inquiries respectively. Questionnaire were used for quantitative data collection and interview, and FGD guide was used for qualitative data collection. Descriptive data analysis was used to analyze quantitative data and qualitative data were analyzed thematically, where data were familiarized, coded, and themes were generated and defined. Four FGDs were conducted with consideration of gender and age. Results: 75(31%) females and 167(69%) males participated in the study. The mean age was 24.3 and S.D of 12.6. Of the 167 men, 109(65.3%) and 58(34.7%) reported a low and a high involvement in contraceptive use respectively. Attaining primary and secondary education was associated with contraceptive use [AOR; 0.36, 95% CI; 0.13, 0.97] and [AOR; 0.52, 95% CI; 0.12, 0.89] respectively. However, health workers’ attitude, distance to health facility were noted as hindering male involvement. From the FGDs, men accessed contraceptive information, were involved in counseling, participated in contraceptive programs, and on women’s perceptions, women believed that contraceptives are theirs, use by males was perceived as a mistrust and embarrassment, and they thought that men would be cheating if they used contraceptives. Conclusion: The study concludes that, factors such as literacy, employment status, distance to the health facility among others have increased male involvement in contraceptive use. However, setbacks like long waiting time, mis-perceptions by females could deter male involvement.