Correlates of Young Men's Intention to Discuss Birth Control with Female Partners

Abstract

CONTEXT Heterosexually active men who wish to prevent conception, but are not willing to use condoms consistently, need to discuss birth control with female partners. Improving the understanding of correlates of men’s intention to have such discussions is one step toward supporting this health-facilitating behavior. METHODS A sample of 372 heterosexually active men aged 18–25 were recruited and surveyed online between December 2010 and June 2011. Men answered questions on attitudes toward, norms regarding and self-efficacy about discussing birth control, and about endorsement of two sexual scripts. Multiple regression analyses tested these measures’ associations with intention to discuss birth control, controlling for age and relationship status. RESULTS Attitudes, norms and self-efficacy were each positively associated with men’s intention to discuss birth control, accounting for 34% of variance. The more strongly men endorsed a traditional masculinity sexual script, the less likely they were to intend to discuss birth control (coefficient, −0.2). Endorsement of an alternative, gender-equitable “sex-positive woman” script, which emphasizes sexual pleasure and emotional connection as goals for both partners, had no association with intention. CONCLUSION Strategies that merit further exploration as potential supports for men’s intention to discuss birth control include improving men’s self-efficacy and positive attitudes and norms pertaining to such discussions, and reducing belief in traditionally masculine sexual scripts or transforming them to include discussing birth control. Future research should work both experimentally and longitudinally to document each element of the process that ends with men’s full participation in effective contraceptive use.

Male Involvement in Family Planning: An Integrative Review

“…Participants were men aged 18 -25. Questions were attitudes toward, norms regarding and self-efficacy n = 372 To examine men's intentions to discuss birth control with a female partner Masters, Morrison, Querna, Casey and Beadnell (2017) [7] Results showed that place of residence, marital status, religion, wealth, interaction with a health care provider, fertility preference, number of sexual partners and access to media were all significantly associated with modern contraceptive use among sexually active men [14] Study finding indicated that: -Men who were exposed to a religious leader speaking about FP were more likely to report using FP and discussing FP with their partner -Radio activities and television exposure was associated with FP use.…”

“…From women perspectives men were seen as an obstacle and never enabled them to plan their next pregnancy [13]. Men engagement in family is affected by different factors [7] [8] [9] [10]. Attitudes, norms and self-efficacy were each positively associated with men's intention to discuss birth control [7].…”

“…Men engagement in family is affected by different factors [7] [8] [9] [10]. Attitudes, norms and self-efficacy were each positively associated with men's intention to discuss birth control [7].…”

“…In this integrative review, common themes emerged were determinant of male engagement in family planning, women perception of male enrolment in family planning, and methods to enhance male use of family planning. Review studies revealed that male intention to discuss family planning is affected by their attitudes; norms and self-efficacy were each positively associated with men's intention to discuss birth control [7]. At the same time region of residence, marital status, religion, wealth, interaction with a health care provider, fertility preference, number of sexual partners and access to media are also important factors that affect male use of family planning [8].…”

Expectations for Sex without Birth Control among Young Men: Risk Factors from the USA National Survey of Reproductive and Contraceptive Knowledge

“…Men consider contraception to be important and want to take on their reproductive responsibility [ 10 11 ]. However, despite wanting to avoid pregnancy, some men choose to enter sexual relationships without using contraception [ 12 ].…”