Modern contraceptive use among sexually active men in Uganda: does discussion with a health worker matter?
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Date
2014
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
MC Public Health
Abstract
Family planning programs have recently undergone a fundamental shift from being focused on
women only to focusing on men individually, or on both partners. However, contraceptive use among married
men has remained low in most high-fertility countries including Uganda. Men’s role in reproductive decision-making
remains an important and neglected part of understanding fertility control both in high-income and low-income
countries. This study examines whether discussion of family planning with a health worker is a critical determinant
of modern contraceptive use by sexually active men, and men’s reporting of partner contraceptive use.
Methods: The study used data from the 2011 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey comprising 2,295 men
aged 15–54 years. Specifically, analyses are based on 1755 men who were sexually active 12 months prior to the
study. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s chi-square test, and logistic regression were used to identify factors that
influenced modern contraceptive use among sexually active men in Uganda.
Results: Findings indicated that discussion of family planning with a health worker (OR =1.85; 95% CI: 1.29–2.66),
region (OR = 0.41; 95% CI: 0.21–0.77), education (OR =2.13; 95% CI: 1.01–4.47), wealth index: richer (OR = 2.52; 95%
CI: 1.58–4.01), richest (OR = 2.47; 95% CI: 1.44–4.22), surviving children (OR = 2.04; 95% CI:1.16–3.59) and fertility
preference (OR = 3.50; 95% CI: 1.28–9.61) were most significantly associated with modern contraceptive use
among men.
Conclusions: The centrality of the role of discussion with health workers in predicting men’s participation in
family planning matters may necessitate creation of opportunities for their further engagement at health facilities
as well as community levels. Men’s discussion of family planning with health workers was significantly associated
with modern contraceptive use. Thus, creating opportunities through which men interact with health workers,
for instance during consultations, may improve contraceptive use among couples.
Description
Keywords
Male involvement, Family planning, Health worker, Contraception, Discussion, Uganda
Citation
Kabagenyi, A., Ndugga, P., Wandera, S. O., & Kwagala, B. (2014). Modern contraceptive use among sexually active men in Uganda: does discussion with a health worker matter?. BMC Public Health, 14(1), 1-8.