KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES OF FAMILY PLANNING AMONG MALES IN UNIVERSITIES IN ABIA STATE, NIGERIA

Male involvement in family planning (FP) remains low in male-dominant communities. Family planning contributes to the regulation of fertility and population growth in Nigeria. Increasing male involvement in family planning services is crucial in reducing maternal morbidity and mortality in patriarchal societies such as Nigeria. This study identified the determinants of male involvement in family planning services in Abia State, Nigeria. The participation of males in joint spousal decisions is urgently needed in achieving the fundamental indicators of reproductive health. The low involvement of males in family planning (FP) decision-making is a major determining factor in low FP usage in Universities in Abia State. Despite this, there are inconsistent findings regarding the extent of male involvement and the determinants that aid male participation in FP decisions in these two (Abia State and Gregory) Universities. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of male involvement in FP decisions and its associated determinants within the household context in Universities in Abia State. We used data from the 2015–2016 Abia State and Gregory Universities Demographic and Health Surveys (DHSs) to examine the prevalence and the determinants inhibiting male involvement in Family Planning Decisions. The total sample size of 7478 from ABSU and GREGORY males from ABIA STATE aged 15–54 years was employed in the analysis by STATA (Statistical software suite) Descriptive (graphs, tables and means), bi-variate (chi-square) and logistic regression analyses (unadjusted (U) and adjusted odds ratio (AOR)) were performed to identify the determinants associated with male involvement in FP decisions. Increasing the role of males in FP decisions and involvement in FP utilization may improve uptake and continuity of FP usage. Therefore, the findings from this cross-sectional study will support redesigning the ineffective strategic FP programs that accommodate socio-demographic determinants that may increase the likelihood of male involvement in FP decisions, especially in the grassroots settings in ABSU AND GREGORY Universities. A high proportion of the respondents had knowledge of and possessed positive attitude to family planning, even though a lesser proportion actually used family planning methods. Ninety per cent of the respondents accepted the decision that the number of children in the family should be made by the couple. While over 32 per cent of the men believed that the wife alone should use family planning methods, only 10 per cent thought it was the husband’s role to use family planning methods. There is need for the present integrated national MCH/family planning programmes to be adapted for use by men.