Men’s Knowledge, Attitudes and Participation in Family Planning: A Survey in the Urban Communities ( Dr. David Cababaro Bueno, et.al., 2018) (original) (raw)

The main aim of the study is to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, practices and involvement of men in family planning (FP) in the selected communities in Olongapo City. The researchers used the survey-questionnaire, focus group interview and observation, and the analysis of data utilized descriptive Statistics. The first ten communities with the highest number of population were surveyed under purposive sampling. The knowledge about FP is relatively high among men, which provide them the opportunity to plan the number of children, as well as proper spacing of childbirth. They are familiar with FP methods like pills, condoms, injectables; vasectomy, tubal ligation and abstinence. Other methods like intrauterine device, norplant, spermicidal, and prolonged breastfeeding were also identified. Thus, they use safer FP methods such as pills and condoms in the future. Fewer numbers of children and proper spacing of childbirth were due to lack of money for rearing many children, mother's and child's health. They are using contraceptives such as condoms, pills, and injectables. Possible reasons for stopping them from using such are fear of side effects, and desire to have more children, and religious belief and source of contraceptive. The decision on the use of FP methods is done jointly by the husband and wife through spousal discussion. A condom still ranked number 1 among users. They have heard of information about FP through various media and health professionals. Community health centers and hospitals, pharmacy, and friends are their sources of contraceptives. Moreover, the majority has gone to health care institutions for advice with no gender biases. Some supporters on the use of contraceptives such as partner and society were reported, but they do not know whether their religion is against the use of contraceptives. The level of male participation in the FP programs is good among the communities. The male support to FP practice was encouraging.