Married men’s sexual and reproductive health concerns and related health-seeking behavior in Bangladesh: A mixed methods study

Abstract

Background In Bangladesh, men’s sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs and related services are often neglected. Little is known of men’s SRH concerns, and of the phenomenal growth of the informal and private health actors in the provision of sexual health services to men in rural and urban areas of Bangladesh. Methods Using a mixed methods approach, a survey of 311 married men in three rural and urban sites was conducted in three different districts of Bangladesh and 60 in-depth interviews were conducted to understand their SRH concerns and choice of providers to seek treatment. Results The research findings reveal that- men’s various SRH concerns are embedded in psychosocial and cultural concerns about their masculinity and expectations of themselves as sexual beings, with worries about performance, loss of semen and virility being dominant concerns. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) were also mentioned as a concern but ranked much lower. Informal providers such as village doctors (rural medical practitioners and palli chikitsoks), drug store salespeople, homeopaths, traditional healers (Ojha/pir/fakir, kabiraj, totka) and street sellers of medicines are popular, accessible and dominate the supply chain. Conclusion There is a need of appropriate interventions to address men’s anxieties and worries about their sexual abilities, well-being and choice of providers. This would go a long way to address and alleviate concerns, as well as identify and push men to seek formal care for asymptomatic STIs, and thereby reduce costs incurred and gender tensions in households.

Reproductive health issues of concern among Nigerians: an online survey

“…This finding is in keeping with a previous report and reflects the belief that other reproductive health issues are women's issues only. 6,8 Men also more commonly mentioned the need for improved reproductive health services as an issue of concern and this may be due to the limited access they have to these services. Women more commonly cited contraception and the need for greater involvement of men as issues of concern, and this is not surprising as they are the main consumers of contraceptive services and as previously reported, their uptake of these services is greater when they have the support of their husbands/male partners.…”

“…4,5 Poor involvement of men in reproductive health has resulted in a limited understanding of these issues among men in Nigeria and elsewhere. 2,3,[6][7][8][9] As a result of their limited understanding of reproductive health, men usually are more concerned with issues that affect their sexual health and tend to view other aspects of reproductive health as women's issues. 6,8,9 Involvement of men is particularly important as they are the decision makers in these settings and their limited understanding of, and lack of support for reproductive health contributes to the poor reproductive health indices.…”

“…2,3,[6][7][8][9] As a result of their limited understanding of reproductive health, men usually are more concerned with issues that affect their sexual health and tend to view other aspects of reproductive health as women's issues. 6,8,9 Involvement of men is particularly important as they are the decision makers in these settings and their limited understanding of, and lack of support for reproductive health contributes to the poor reproductive health indices. The use of contraception, in particular, is more likely to occur when there is support from the husband/male partner.…”