Background and methodology Men's and women's attitudes towards the male contraceptive pill and their trust in the effective use of the male pill were investigated, as well as the associated variables of reported health behaviours, perceived self-efficacy and type of sexual relationship, using a questionnaire survey.
ResultsAlthough both sexes had a favourable attitude towards the male pill, females had a more positive attitude than men. Conversely, women had less trust that men would use the male pill effectively. Males in stable sexual relationships were more positive about the male pill than those in casual sexual relationships. Gender, relationship type and trust in the effective use of the male pill reliably predicted attitude towards the male pill. High perceived self-efficacy was related to engaging in more health behaviours, and in men a positive association between Contraceptive failure has further-reaching consequences for women than for men. 3 Even if effective male hormonal contraception (MHC) were to be made available, contradictory findings suggest that men would 4 or would not 5 take over the responsibility for fertility control and could or could not be trusted to do so. Moreover, it has been postulated that the resources currently being directed at new contraceptives for men would be better spent making existing methods more widely available. 6 Men only use contraception in around one-third of heterosexual partnerships. 7,8 Some findings indicated that the majority of men seem to believe that men and women share equal responsibility for the decisions about contraception. 9 However, social research has repeatedly highlighted the contradictory role of men in fertility regulation: although many men believe that the responsibility for contraception should be shared, in practice many prefer not to use any. 10,11 Men are not seen as able to regulate their own fertility, and are likely to reject responsibility when asked. 12 It has been asserted that it is part of the image of male masculinity to exhibit fertility rather than preventing it. 12-14 Similarly attributed to the traditional masculine role are men's reluctant attitudes towards taking care of their own health because that would be a sign of weakness. 15 Discussion and conclusions A positive attitude towards the male pill does not automatically imply that the individual is confident about its effective use. Once the male pill is widely available, promotional campaigns could target not only men but also their female partners, as the latter tend to come into contact with health services more frequently. In order to increase confidence in effective implementation, a variety of presentations of the male pill should be made available in line with individual needs and lifestyles.
161Keywords gender differences, health behaviours, hormonal contraception, male contraception, male pill less regular contact with health care professionals 15,16 and are less likely to seek preventive reproductive and sexual health information and contraceptives. 1...