Menu

An expert resource for medical professionals
Provided FREE as a service to women’s health

The Alliance for
Global Women’s Medicine
A worldwide fellowship of health professionals working together to
promote, advocate for and enhance the Welfare of Women everywhere

An Educational Platform for FIGO

The Global Library of Women’s Medicine
Clinical guidance and resourses

A vast range of expert online resources. A FREE and entirely CHARITABLE site to support women’s healthcare professionals

The Global Academy of Women’s Medicine
Teaching, research and Diplomates Association

Ethiop J Health Sci. 2016 Sep;26(5):439-448

Effect of male partner's support on spousal modern contraception in a low resource setting

Balogun O, Adeniran A, Fawole A, Adesina K, Aboyeji A and Adeniran P

Abstract

Background: As efforts continue to increase contraceptive uptake, male partner support remains important in spousal modern contraceptive use.

Methods: A prospective cross-sectional survey involving women on modern contraception was conducted at the family planning clinic of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria, between December 2013 and April 2014. All consenting participants completed a self-administered questionnaire designed for the study, and statistical analysis was done with SPSS version 20.0 using with chi square test and logistic regression; p value <0.05 was significant.

Results: There were 305 participants: 208(68.2%) were multipara, the commonest current and previous contraceptives used were IUD and injectables while male partner was responsible for discontinuation in 30(23.3%) of previous users. Covert contraceptive use was 22(7.2%), male partner support was 209(68.5%) as payment for the contraceptives (203; 66.6%) or transportation to the clinic (198; 64.9%). Also, 55(18.0%) women failed to comply with contraception recently due to male partner hindrance (25; 45.5%) or inability to pay for contraceptive (11; 20%) or transportation to the clinic (8; 14.5%). Male partners hindered contraception by reporting the woman to relatives/friends (8; 32%) or denying her money for feeding allowance (6; 24%); 277(90.8%) women want contraception to be couple decision while 261(85.6%) want contraception administered only if both partners consented. The significant predictors of male partner support were awareness about the contraceptive use (p<0.001, OR0.114; CI0.041-0.319), level of education (p0.007, OR1.488; CI1.114-1.9870) and social class (p0.029, OR0.690; CI0.495-0.963).

Conclusions: Male partner hindrances and costs of contraceptive or transportation to clinic are important in noncompliance. Male partner education, subsidized/free contraceptives and mobile/community services will improve compliance.

Comment: If it becomes clear that a woman is not fully compliant with the use of her contraceptive, it is important also to check whether her male partner is supportive or if there are logistical challenges, like transportation to the health center. If not, then communication and education of the male partner can solve the problem. (HMV)