Men's Perspectives on Their Role in Family Planning in Nyanza Province, Kenya

Bibliographic Data

ID10794747
AuthorsM Withers (0000-0001-7754-0206, Assistant Professor, Institute for Global Health, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California 2001 North Soto Street Los Angeles CA 90033, corresponding author), Shari L Dworkin (0000-0002-8535-4822, University of California, San Francisco), Maricianah Onono (0000-0001-6847-8762, Research Officer, Beryl Oyier is Assistant Research Officer, and Elizabeth A. Bukusi is Deputy Director Research and Training, Centre for Microbiology Research Kenya Medical Research Institute), Beryl Oyier (Research Officer, Beryl Oyier is Assistant Research Officer, and Elizabeth A. Bukusi is Deputy Director Research and Training, Centre for Microbiology Research Kenya Medical Research Institute), Craig R Cohen (0000-0001-8654-6634, Professor and Sara J. Newmann is Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences School of Medicine, University of California San Francisco), Elizabeth A Bukusi (0000-0002-2031-2808, Research Officer, Beryl Oyier is Assistant Research Officer, and Elizabeth A. Bukusi is Deputy Director Research and Training, Centre for Microbiology Research Kenya Medical Research Institute), Sara J Newmann (0000-0002-2672-0191, Professor and Sara J. Newmann is Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences School of Medicine, University of California San Francisco)
Year2015
Volume46
Issue2
Pages201-215
Publication date2015-06-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueStudies in Family Planning (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0039-3665 • E-ISSN: 1728-4465
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/j.1728-4465.2015.00024.x
PMID26059990
OpenAlexW2134798927
LanguageEN
Citations received15
References cited53

Research has indicated that gender dynamics—and in particular men's disapproval of family planning—have had an influence on the low levels of contraceptive use in sub‐Saharan Africa. Limited evidence exists, however, on effective strategies to increase male approval. We conducted 12 focus group discussions with married men aged 20–66 (N = 106) in Kenya to explore FP perceptions. Men's disapproval of FP was associated with anxieties regarding male identity and gender roles. Men often distrusted FP information provided by their wives because they suspected infidelity or feared being viewed as “herded.” Men also feared that providers might pressure them into vasectomies or into disclosing extramarital sexual activity or HIV diagnoses to their wives. Suggested strategies include programs targeting couples jointly and FP education for men provided by male outreach workers. To encourage men's acceptance, community‐based programs directly targeting men are needed to reduce stigma and misconceptions and to increase awareness of the benefits of FP

Developing country · Economic growth · Environmental health · Family planning · Focus group · Outreach · Political science · Population · Psychiatry · Research methodology · Sociology · Stigma (botany · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Gender Studies · Global Maternal and Child Health · Medicine · Poverty, Education, and Child Welfare · Psychology