MALE'S INVOLVEMENT IN SPOUSAL FERTILITY CONTROL MEASURES IN IFE CENTRAL LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF OSUN STATE

Abstract

Male's involvement in spousal fertility control measures is very important in the use of Contraceptive method. Fertility can be controlled through the use of contraceptives particularly modern methods. Fertility rate in Nigeria is high but the use of modem contraceptive is low. Male involvement in Family Planning has positive influence on the use of contraceptive. This study documented information about male's involvement in spousal fertility control measures in lfe Central Local Government, Osun State. The study was community based and cross-sectional in design. It made use of methods mixed approach which consisted of quantitative and qualitative research methods. The quantitative method was a semi-structured questionnaire and qualitative methods were Key Informant Interview (KII) and Focus Group Discussions (FOG). The study included 1000 married men in stable union aged 15-59 years. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square and multiple Logistic regression models. Mean age was 38.2±11.0 years and the prevalence of modern contraceptive currently used was 29.0%. Factors associated with the use of modern contraceptives were age, level of education, occupation, place of residence, monthly income and Children Ever Born. Also, age, place of residence, level of education, occupation and income were significantly associated with knowledge of vasectomy (p<0.05). About 35.0% of the respondents who have adequate knowledge of vasectomy and also 35.6% of those who have higher level of education were currently using modern contraceptive. Men in age group 50-59 were less likely (OR=0.35; C.I =0.19- 0.645, p<0.05) to use modern contraceptive than those in age group less than 30. Respondents who were earning more than 70,000 naira were highly likely (OR=4.516; C.I=2.479-8.227, p<0.001) to use modern contraceptive than those who were earning less than 10,000. Men who were earning more than 70,000 naira monthly were higher likely to have adequate knowledge of vasectomy than those who were earning less than 10,000 naira (OR=l.84; C.1= 1.108- 3.563, p<0.05). The use of modern contraceptive in Ife central Local Government Area was low. Reasons such as poor sexual performance, infertility and spousal promiscuity were identified as responsible for non-involvement in contraceptive practices. Men in the study area need more education on the services available and their consequences.