Extent and Socio-Demographic Determinants of Males’ Involvement in Family Planning Practices in Ohafia Local Government Area, Abia State.
ABSTRACT
This study was designed to investigate the extent and socio-demographic determinants of males’ involvement in family planning practices in Ohafia Local Government Area, Abia State. Seven research questions and five null hypotheses were formulated to guide the study.
The design of the study was descriptive survey. The sample consisted of 864 currently married males from four wards in Ohafia Local Government Area.
The instruments used for the study were Questionnaire on Extent and Socio-demographic Determinants of Males’ Involvement in FPPs and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) Guide which were validated by experts and used for data collection.
The data collected were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, Pearson product moment correlation co-efficient, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and t-test statistic. Content analysis was employed to analyse the focus group discussions (FGDs).
The major findings of the study were: males’ involvement in the use of abstinence and withdrawal was to a small extent (1.61 & 1.53) while their use of condom and vasectomy was to no extent (1.07 & 1.46); males were involved in supporting their wife’s use of natural planning method to a small extent (1.78).
While their support for wife’s use of artificial family planning methods was to no extent (1.14, 1.07, 1.25, 1.26 & 1.24); level of education was a determinant of the extent of males’ involvement in family planning practices;
Occupation was a determinant of extent of male’s involvement in family planning practices; religious affiliation was not a determinant of the extent of males’ involvement in family planning practices; age was not a determinant of the extent of males’ involvement in family planning practices;
Geographical location was a determinant of the extent of male’s involvement in family planning practices. Based on the findings of the study the following recommendations were made.
Sensitization campaigns should be conducted by health agencies on the importance of males’ involvement in family planning practices; policy makers should formulate policies that will subsidize the cost of family planning services and ensure its availability to men in low-income occupations.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page i
Approval Page ii
Certification iii
Dedication iv
Acknowledgements v
Table of Contents vi
List of Tables vii
List of Figures viii
Abstract ix
CHAPTER ONE: Introduction
Background to the Study 1
Statement of the Problem 7
Purpose of the Study 8
Research Questions 9
Hypotheses 9
Significance of the Study 9
Scope of the Study 11
CHAPTER TWO: Review of Related Literature 12
Conceptual Framework 12
Concept of family planning practices (FPPs) 12
Males’ involvement in FPPs 16
Obstacles to males’ involvement in FPPs 26
Determinants of males’ involvement in FPPs 28
Theoretical Framework 36
Theory of reasoned action (TRA) 36
Theory of planned behaviour (TPB) 36
The health belief model (HBM) 37
Empirical Studies on Males’ Involvement in FPPs 39
Summary of Literature Review 49
CHAPTER THREE: Methods 52
Research Design 52
Area of the Study 52
Population for the Study 53
Sample and Sampling Techniques 53
Instrument for Data Collection 54
Validity of the instrument 54
Reliability of the instrument 55
Method of Data Collection 55
Method of Data Analysis 56
CHAPTER FOUR: Results and Discussion 57
CHAPTER FIVE: Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations 80
Summary of the Study 80
Conclusions 81
Recommendations 81
Implications of the Study 82
Limitations of the Study 83
Suggestions for Further Research 83
References 85
Appendices
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
Recognition is growing on a global scale that the involvement of men in family planning practices (FPPs) offers both men and women important benefits. Such benefits include a decreased maternal mortality rate and an increased contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR).
According to Cleland, Bernstein, Ezeh, Faundes, Glasier and Innis (2006), an estimated ninety per cent (90%) of abortion-related and twenty per cent (20%) of pregnancy-related morbidity and mortality, along with thirty-two (32%) per cent of maternal deaths could be prevented by use of effective contraception.
Hubacher, Mavranezouli and McGinn (2008) also noted that in Sub- Saharan Africa, an estimated fourteen million unintended pregnancies occur every year. These unintended pregnancies and subsequent abortions could have been avoided if the male partners had applied family planning (FP) methods.
In the past, men were considered to be beyond the scope of FP programmes; the reasons, according to Dahal, Padmadas and Hinde (2008), included the notions that reproduction was primarily a woman’s issue and that men usually did not take responsibility for reproductive health and FP.
However, it has been widely acknowledged that men in developing countries, such as Nigeria, make most of the decisions regarding family formation (Bankole & Singh, 1998); and according to Morgan and Niraula (1995).husband’s approval and support, the wife may not be able to practise FP.
REFERENCES
Abraham, W., Adamu, A. & Deresse, D (2010). The involvement of men in family planning: An application of Trans-theoretical model in Wolaita Soddo Town, South Ethiopia. Asian Journal of Medical Sciences, 2(2), 44 – 50.
Achalu, E. I. (2001) Health education: Concepts, methods and planning. Lagos: Simarch.
Adebayo, A., & Adamchaic, D. J (1985). Fertility attitude of male Nigerian students in United States. Paper Presented at the Annual Meeting of Population Association of America, Boston.
Adewuyi, A. & Ogunjuyigbe, P (2003). The role of men in family planning: An examination of men’s knowledge and attitude to contraceptive use among the Yorubas. African Population Studies, 18(1), 35 – 49.
Ajzen, I (1998) Attitudes, personality and behaviour. Chicago, Illinois: The Dorsey Press.
Akafua, R. A. & Sossou, M (2008). Attitudes towards and use of knowledge about family planning among Ghanaian men. Men’s Studies Press. Retrieved from http://www.thefreelibrary.com on 14 – 04 – 2010.
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