Risk Factors and Barriers to Male Involvement in the Choice of Family Planning Methods in the Buea Health District, South West Region, Cameroon: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Semi-Urban Area

Abstract

 Background: Family Planning (FP) promotion and services are often focused on women, but 
nonetheless men have an important role to play also. Engaging men in family planning pro
grams and services has the potential to improve the use of FP methods, increase healthy preg
nancy timing and child spacing, and improve on the overall health of the community. It may 
also facilitate decision-making by men and their partners in reproductive health matters that 
include FP. 
Objectives: The aim of this study is twofold; to 1) determine the risk factors associated with 
male involvement in the choice of FP methods; and 2) describe the perceived barriers to male 
involvement in family planning.
 Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional, community-based study among men in the Buea 
Health District (BHD). The multistage sampling technique was used to select four health areas 
and twenty communities. Eligible participants were selected by consecutive and convenient 
sampling and were administered a structured questionnaire to measure their involvement in the 
choice of FP methods. Socio-demographic and reproductive characteristics of participants were 
obtained; and so were communication factors and barriers in FP. The logistic regression model 
was used to determine the factors associated with male involvement. Statistical significance 
was set at p<0.05.
 Results: A total of 292 men participated in this study, more than half (57.2%) of whom were 
involved in the choice of FP methods. Factors affecting the choice of FP methods were men’s 
age ((adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR)=0.35; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.12-0.86; p=0.042)), 
knowledge level (aOR=2.62; 95% CI: 1.50-4.58; p=0.001), educational level (aOR=2.45; 95% 
CI: 1.10-5.48; p=0.029), partners level of education (aOR=2.37; 95% CI: 1.12-5.02; p=0.024) 
and birth spacing between partners last two deliveries (aOR=3.14; 95% CI: 1.48-6.68; p=0.003). 
The identified barriers to male involvement were financial constraints (lack of money), concep
tion difficulties, inadequate information on FP methods, tradition, unskilled healthcare provid
ers, weight gain by partners, and desire for large family size. 
Conclusion: This study revealed that men in the BHD were highly involved in FP. Their age, 
level of education, FP knowledge level, partner’s level of education, and birth spacing between 
partner’s last two deliveries were among the factors that influenced male involvement in FP. 
Identified barriers to male involvement in FP methods were lack of money to pay