The male versus female perspective on family planning: Kinshasa, Zaire

Abstract

Males have often been neglected in both family planning programmes and in surveys used to design and evaluate such programmes. A 1988 study on fertility, family planning and AIDS in Kinshasa, Zaire, provides comparable data on 3140 men and 3485 women of reproductive age which served as the basis for analysing male/female differences. The study indicated a fair degree of similarity in the attitudes, beliefs, knowledge levels and practices of men and women regarding fertility and family planning. Where they differed (e.g. on expected or ideal number of children, the desire for more children at parity 7 or above), men tended to be more pronatalist than women. The implications of the findings for future family planning programmes are discussed. Programmes should target males because of their role as decision makers within Zairian society.

Fertility desires and family planning demand among HIV-positive clients in follow-up care at antiretroviral treatment unit in Gondar university hospital, Ethiopia

“…Comparatively, 49.7% of the males expressed the desire for children than 36.3% female clients. A comparative study in Tigray, Ethiopia (Mesfin, 2002), in South Africa (Cooper et al, 2009) and in Zaire (Bertrand et al, 1996) had showed similar findings that men were found to have greater desire for more children than women. Other finding from SubSaharan Africa also found that African men want to have more children for social and economic gains (Caldwell & Caldwell, 1990).…”

Voltage dependent calcium channels in mammalian spermatozoa

“…Men and women have similar attitudes and knowledge levels of contraception (182,183). Currently, however, primary prevention of pregnancy is largely borne by the female partner.…”

Sex preference and contraceptive behaviour among men in Mbeya region, Tanzania

“…28 In sub-Saharan Africa, research into sex preference has largely focused on women's views, to the neglect of men's opinions. [29][30][31][32] In a continent where men are the primary decision-makers (both in public and domestic life) and income earners, reproductive intentions are substantially influenced by their preferences. [33][34][35] This appears especially relevant in the initial stages of a couple's reproductive lives (i.e.…”