Male Involvement In Family Planning And Its Impact On The Reproductive Health In Chamwino District, Tanzania

ABSTRACT 

This study was examining the factors influencing male involving in family planning services and its impact on reproductive health in Chamwino District. It was guided by three specific objectives which were: to examine knowledge, attitudes and practices of males on family planning and its impact on reproductive health in Chamwino District, to examine factors affecting males involving in family planning and to examine the extent of male‟s involvement and participation in female family planning matter/services. Various studies have shown that family planning adoption and practice are likely to be more effective for women when men are actively involved. Male involvement in family planning is an instance of behavior change. Male involvement is crucial to the success of family planning programs and is associated with better outcomes in reproductive health such as contraceptive acceptance and continuation, and safer sexual behaviors. A community-based crosssectional study was conducted from March to June, 2015. A sample of 92 couples aged 15-19 (reproductive age) in Chamwino District were selected and data were collected using structured and semi-structured questionnaires. The study was based on both primary and secondary data. Primary data were obtained from face to face interview through interview schedule and focus group discussions, while secondary data were obtained from review of literature. The statistical package for social science (SPSS) was used for data management and analysis. The study found that; over thirty eight percent of married respond to injections, followed by oral contraceptive pills by twenty nine percent. Women who use implants were fourteen percent whereby couple using condoms were fourteen percent. Moreover; the findings reveals that; women who practiced traditional methods were nine percent while other respondents nine percent were using intrauterine device (loop) and the vii last, one percent of the respondents were used females sterilization. Furthermore; The findings depicts that, reasons mentioned for the low involvement were the desire to have more children, wife or partner refusal, fear of side effects, religious prohibition, lack of awareness about contraceptives and the thinking that it is the only issue for women. Opinion about family planning services, men approval and current use of family planning methods were associated with male involvement in the services utilization. Basing on the findings; the study concluded that; the level of male involvement was low due to insufficient information, inaccessibility to the services and the desire to have more children. Therefore, the study recommended that, the Government and non-governmental organizations, donors and relevant stakeholders should ensure availability, accessibility and sustained advocacy for use of family planning services. The family planning programs should incorporate the responsibility and role of males in the uptake of family planning services.