Male involvement in family planning in a rural area of India

Abstract

Introduction: Family planning is one of the essential health care services to promote and ensure reproductive health. Nearly 40.2 percent of men think it as a woman’s responsibility as per the National Family Health Survey 4. Not much attention has been given to the male partners in the usage of contraceptives. So, this study was conducted to assess the male participation in family planning among married males in a rural area of Chhattisgarh. Methodology: A sample of 365 married males were interviewed through a semi-structured questionnaire at a primary health care center. Results: Only 48 (13.1%) participants were using condoms or male sterilization as a method of contraception at the time of the study. Good involvement of males in family planning was found to be (10.9%) in our study. Those who were above the poverty line and educated (graduation and above) had good involvement in family planning. The chief reason cited for not opting for male sterilization by participants was fear of physical weakness followed by family opposition. Conclusion: The socio-cultural barrier in itself demotivates men from getting involved in the family planning program. This study recommends increasing health literacy regarding family planning among men by including it in the school curriculum and through awareness activities and counseling that influences them positively and motivates them to accept contraceptive services and shared decision making. Sterilization facilities should be made accessible to them to further encourage them.

Individual empowerment and community norm effects of engaging young husbands in reproductive health in rural India: findings from a pilot study

“…In the context of Indian culture, family planning has been feminized in society, and engaging in family planning is seen as not masculine. (7) In another study in India, researchers conducted an analysis of male attitudes towards family planning and contraception, and their impact on women's empowerment and engagement in family planning. The researchers observed that many husbands maintained the attitude that family planning and contraceptive use is unnecessary.…”

Life skills and reproductive health empowerment intervention for newly married women and their families to reduce unintended pregnancy in India: protocol for the TARANG cluster randomised controlled trial

“…Prior evidence has recognised the role of husbands and mothers-in-law as significant influencers in family planning decision-making and contraception uptake 7 44–47. Restrictive attitudes of husbands and in-laws against family planning and their pronatal norms against delaying the first pregnancy can prevent uptake of family planning 48–50. Further, decisions such as contraception and timing of pregnancy are couple-level choices and cannot be made alone, nor can women be expected to change and fight against entrenched gender norms on their own.…”

Unraveling Factors Shaping the Acceptance and Non-acceptance of Non-scalpel Vasectomy in Rural Central India: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…In response to the demographic challenge, India initiated the National Family Welfare Program in 1951, aiming to curtail the birth rate and stabilize the population in alignment with the national economic needs [3]. In a societal framework characterized by male dominance, the active involvement of men in family planning emerges as an imperative for the efficacy of such programs [4]. Non-scalpel vasectomy (NSV) represents a highly effective contraceptive modality for males.…”

“…Such concerns, rooted in historical experiences, present formidable barriers to the adoption of NSV. In contrast, female sterilization garners widespread acceptance, with societal norms potentially influencing the perception that weakness in women is more tolerable given traditional gender roles [4].…”