Not Just Women's Business: Exploring Men's Involvement in Family Planning

Abstract Background: Family planning remains a critical component of reproductive health, yet much of the focus has traditionally been on women. Increasingly, male involvement is recognised as pivotal, particularly in patriarchal societies like Nigeria, where men's support or opposition can significantly influence contraceptive decisions. Objectives: This study explored men's knowledge, perceptions, attitudes, and involvement in FP in Ogbomoso, Nigeria, and examined the socio-demographic and interpersonal factors influencing male participation. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 320 males aged 15–59 years in Ogbomoso North Local Government Area. Participants were selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using a structured, pre-tested questionnaire and analysed using SPSS version 21. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression were employed to identify significant associations. Results: While 89.7% of respondents had prior knowledge of FP and 84.1% recognised its importance, only 29.1% reported ever using FP methods. Misconceptions persisted: 77.2% believed FP reduces male sexual performance, and 66.9% perceived FP as a woman’s responsibility. Monthly income was significantly associated with FP utilisation (p=0.05), whereas other socio-demographic variables were not. Logistic regression revealed that spousal communication (OR=0.348, p<0.001) and religious beliefs (OR=0.341, p<0.001) were significant predictors of men’s approval of their partner’s FP use. Key barriers included fear of side effects (28.3%), belief that FP is a woman’s responsibility (27.1%), and religious beliefs (13.1%).   Conclusion: Despite high awareness, male utilisation and approval of FP remain low, influenced by spousal communication, religious beliefs, and socio-economic factors. Interventions promoting open couple communication, addressing religious misconceptions, and targeting low-income populations are critical for enhancing male involvement in family planning in Nigeria.