Male partner involvement in female contraceptive choices in Nigeria
Ajah, L.O.; Dim, C.C.; Ezegwui, H.U.; Iyoke, C.A.; Ugwu, E.O.
Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology the Journal of the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 35(6): 628-631
2015
ISSN/ISBN: 1364-6893 PMID: 25535903 DOI: 10.3109/01443615.2014.991287Document Number: 624632
Opposition by male partners is one of the barriers to contraceptive use in sub-Saharan Africa. The study aimed at determining the extent of male partner involvement in female contraceptive (FP) choices in Enugu, south-east Nigeria. Questionnaires were administered to 243 consecutive women attendee of family planning clinic, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu from January to June, 2012. A total of 137 women made contraceptive decisions jointly with their partners, which gave a male involvement rate of 56.4%. Only respondents' higher age (≥ 35 years) had significant association with male partner involvement in FP choices (odds ratio (OR) = 2.1; 95% confidence interval: 1.22, 3.51; p = 0.008). Covert contraceptive use rate was 4.9% (12/243). A majority of women attending the FP clinic of UNTH, Enugu involved their partners when making contraceptive choices. Male-partner-targeted family planning programme has the potential to increase uptake of contraception in our environment.