Influence of Knowledge of Spousal Fertility Cycles on Male Reproductive Health Participation in Ibadan Metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract

Despite the established roles and influence of men on women"s uptake and utilization of reproductive health care interventions, the degree of involvement with intimate issues within the household which could help to understand male involvement and support remains an under-researched topic. The aim of this study was to investigate the degree of involvement at the family level of men within sub-urban communities of Ibadan in South-West Nigeria. A cross sectional survey design was conducted among 380 men selected from sub-urban communities in Ibadan, Oyo State using multi-stage sampling. Data was obtained using pretested, semi-structured, interviewer administered questionnaires. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis and logistic regression with level of significance set at 5%. Mean age of respondents was 41.1 ± 7.6 years. Men who were knowledgeable of spouse"s menstrual cycles and ovulation dates were significantly more likely to have supported some form of public health intervention before (p<0.001). Age over 30, above secondary education, and men aware of menstrual dates of spouse were significant predictors of reproductive health interventions. Men who were aware of menstrual cycles of spouse were 96.6% more likely to be supportive or involved in reproductive health matters compared to those who were not (OR =0.034; 95% CI = 0.02 -0.07; p<0.001). Involvement of men at family level as demonstrated in this study serves to influence and explain the level of involvement with reproductive health. Further research investigating other proximal factors that influence male participation is recommended. (Afr J Reprod Health 2017; 21[3]: 76-88).Keywords: reproductive health, health disparities, male involvement, menstrual cycle, ovulatory cycles, fertility RésuméEn dépit des rôles établis et de l'influence des hommes sur la prise en charge des femmes et l'utilisation des interventions en matière de soins de santé de la reproduction, le degré de participation aux problèmes intimes au sein du ménage qui pourrait aider à comprendre l'implication et le soutien des hommes demeure un sujet de recherche insuffisamment étudié. L'objectif de cette étude était d'étudier le degré d'implication au niveau familial des hommes dans les communautés sub-urbaines d'Ibadan dans le sud-ouest du Nigéria. Une étude transversale a été menée auprès de 380 hommes sélectionnés parmi les communautés suburbaines d'Ibadan, dans l"État d'Oyo, en utilisant un échantillonnage en plusieurs étapes. Les données ont été obtenues à l'aide de questionnaires pré-testés, semi-structurés et administres à partir des interviews. Les données ont été analysées en utilisant des statistiques descriptives, une analyse bivariée et une régression logistique avec un niveau de signification fixé à 5%. L'âge moyen des répondants était de 41,1 ± 7,6 ans. Les hommes qui connaissaient bien les cycles menstruels et les dates d'ovulation des épouses étaient beaucoup plus susceptibles d'avoir soutenu une forme d'intervention de santé publique ...

Prevalence and factors associated with catastrophic health expenditure among slum and non-slum dwellers undergoing emergency surgery in a metropolitan area of South Western Nigeria

“…The involvement of spouses as payers for many of the CS surgeries is not only borne from the fact that Nigeria is patriarchal but equally emphasizes the role of men and their involvement in supporting the reproductive health of women that has been reported in the literature [ 75 ]. Our study illustrates that men take responsibility for the reproductive health of their spouses which corroborates the literature that has also been shown in mother to child transmission of HIV research [ 76 ].…”