Male involvement in family planning at mandinary village, Kombo north district, West region, The Gambia

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Baboucarr Cham

Gambia College School of Nursing and Midwifery, Gambia

: Androl Gynecol: Curr Res

Abstract

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Male involvement in family planning is a challenge in countries where there are traditional and rigidly defined gender roles. Men’s reproductive and sexual behavior have implications for women’s health. Husbands should be encouraged to adopt positive sexual and reproductive health behavior. A descriptive qualitative study design was used to explore male involvement in family planning at Mandinary village. A purposive sampling method was used to select 22 respondents, 10 of whom were interviewed using an in-depth interview guide while 12 formed the two focus group discussions using a vignette. Thematic analysis was used to analyze data collected from the individual interviews and focus group discussions. The interviews were recorded during the data collection and later transcribed and presented in themes supported with quotes. The study revealed that men have different perceptions about family planning; some perceived it as a good practice that can benefit women, children and even men, while others see it as bad if used to limit number of children one desires to have. It also shows that barriers to male involvement in family planning were religious beliefs, culture and misconceptions about family planning. The study further revealed that men are the decision makers regarding fertility control. Incorporation of gender approaches in family planning and reproductive health programmed may promote male participation in family planning and reproductive health. Health promoters and service providers should strengthen information, education and communication targeting men as important partners in reproductive health.

Biography

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Baboucarr Cham lives in Mandinari, Western, Gambia. He studied at school of community health nursing and midwifery mansakonkwo and works at Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (Croatia). Now he is working as Lecturer at Gambia college.

E-mail: e: b.cham@gambiacollege.edu.gm