Male Attitude Towards Family Planning in the Tema Metropolis

Abstract

One factor that might contribute to the lack of success of the African population control programmes may be that they tend to be directed towards women only, ignoring the role of men in contraceptive decisions. Male involvement in family planning methods can increase its uptake and continuation by improving spousal communication through pathways of increased knowledge or decreased male opposition. This study assessed the attitude of men towards Family Planning in the Tema Metropolitan Area in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. The study was cross-sectional and employed quantitative methods. The study population consisted of both married men and men with at least one child. The study involved 400 randomly selected respondents. Quantitative data was collected through interviewing with structured questionnaires. All data analysis was done using STATA statistical software. Awareness of contraceptive methods was high among men in the Tema Metropolis, however, use was low. The media was the most cited source of information on family planning. An association of socio-demographic variables revealed that age and marital status were significantly associated with modern family planning use (P< 0.05). Respondents who were single have an increased odds of practicing family planning as compared to those who are engaged but not yet married (AOR =6.75;p<0.05) adjusting for all other covariates in the predictive model. Having a prior discussion regarding contraceptives with partners was found to be significantly associated with the practice of family planning (p<0.05). Men can play an important role in family planning either by their active use of contraceptives or by supporting their partner’s use of contraceptive methods. Therefore, males supporting their partners will also help in better acceptance, correct use and compliance to family planning methods.