Male Perception on Family Planning Services: A Case of Kihorogota Ward- Iringa District
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Date
2016-12Author
Malila, Mwabless
Kayage, Renatus
Mandara, Christina
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ABSTRACT: This paper assesses male perception on family planning services (FPS) in three selected villages in Kihorogota ward, Iringa district. A sample of 96 married males of reproductive age and 4 key informants were selected using systematic
and purposive sampling techniques for involvement in the study. A structured interview was used to collect data from household heads who are married males. Data were analyzed using IBM Statistical Product Service Solution (IBM-SPSS version 20). The study observed that, majority of male respondents were aware of FPS. Despite high rate of awareness among male respondents on FPS, most of them had negative perception and hence minimum involvement in FPS. Sociodemographic and cultural factors determined the use of FPS. These factors include fear of the side effects, husband’s approval, supply services of preferable
contraceptives in the nearby health centres, distance to health facilities. The study recommends for a need to change male’s perception on FPS at Kihorogota ward through building capacity of village leaders, for the later to help in conducting
seminars on the usefulness of FPS at the village level. The district government needs to cooperate with NGOs and religious institutions to ensure family planning campaign reaches the community for the changes of male’s perception on
utilizing FPS.