KNOWLEDGE, PERCEPTION AND PRACTICES OF MARRIED MEN CONCERNING BIRTH-CONTROL METHODS IN IBARAPA CENTRAL LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, OYO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Married men are relatively neglected in Birth -Control (BC) related studies in Nigeria in spite of the importance of results from such investigations in designing strategics aimed at involving men in birth-control programmes. In particular, studies on BC related knowledge and perception among married men in lbarapa Central Local Government Area (LGA) are scarce. This study was therefore, designed to determine the knowledge, perception and practices relating to BC among married men in the LGA. A cross-sectional survey was adopted using a four-stage random sampling technique to select 720 married men from wards, neighbourhoods, compounds and households in Igboora and Idere (the two main communities in the LGA). The semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire included questions on the following: socio-demographic characteristics; perception and BC methods used; and 7-point birth-control knowledge scale. Knowledge scores of ≤3, >3-5 and >5 points were rated poor, fair, and good respectively. A Focus Group Discussion (FGD) guide was used to conduct 12 FGD sessions. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, Student's t-test and ANOVA at p=0.05 while FGD data were analysed using thematic approach. Age of respondents was 33.0 ±13.6 years and a greater proportion (40.6%) had primary education. Male-specific BC methods ever heard by respondents included male condom (96.3%), sexual abstinence (95.0%), withdrawal (76.8%), and vasectomy (15.9%), while female-specific contraceptives included injectables (77.4%), IUCD (56.3%), pills (64.7%) and Norplant (42.4%). Knowledge score was 4.9±1.6; respondents with poor, fair, and good knowledge were 15.4%; 38.2%; and 46.4% respectively. The BC methods ever used with spouses included condom (71.9%); abstinence (78.2%); and withdrawal (55.7%), while methods used in the last three months included abstinence (63.2%), male condom (56.3%), and withdrawal (43.5%). The BC decisions taken jointly with spouses included those relating to choice of contraceptives (77.5%), birth spacing (78.9%), and number of children to have (64.9%). Perceptions reflecting respondents' misconception of condom included beliefs that it is an unreliable BC method (56.0%), it is only needed for HIV prevention (85.7%) and that it can pull off during sexual intercourse and enter a woman's body (47.2%). Respondents' aged ≤24 years had a significantly higher knowledge score of 5.3±1.2 compared with those aged ≥ 25 years with a score of 4.6±1.9. Knowledge scores were significantly different among respondents with 1-5 (5.1±1.4), 6-10 (4.0±2.2), and ≥10 (2.7±2.2) living children. Respondents aged ≤24 years (55.4%), significantly had good knowledge of contraceptives compared to those aged ≥ 25 years (44.6%). Available BC methods listed by FGD participants included condom, pills and copper T. The view of most participants was that men should be involved in all BC-related decisions. Use of birth-control methods was common, but respondents' knowledge was inadequate. Some respondents had misperceptions relating to the use of condom. Public enlightenment and training interventions are needed to address these concerns.