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Male Involvement in Family Planning Decisions in Malawi and Tanzania: What Are the Determinants?

Author

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  • Godswill Nwabuisi Osuafor

    (Department of Population Studies and Demography, North-West University, Mafikeng 2735, South Africa)

  • Monica Ewomazino Akokuwebe

    (Faculty of Humanities, North-West University, Mafikeng 2735, South Africa)

  • Erhabor Sunday Idemudia

    (Faculty of Humanities, North-West University, Mafikeng 2735, South Africa)

Abstract

The participation of males in joint spousal decisions is urgently needed in achieving the fundamental indicators of reproductive health. The low involvement of males in family planning (FP) decision-making is a major determining factor in low FP usage in Malawi and Tanzania. Despite this, there are inconsistent findings regarding the extent of male involvement and the determinants that aid male participation in FP decisions in these two countries. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of male involvement in FP decisions and its associated determinants within the household context in Malawi and Tanzania. We used data from the 2015–2016 Malawi and Tanzania Demographic and Health Surveys (DHSs) to examine the prevalence and the determinants inhibiting male involvement in FP decisions. The total sample size of 7478 from Malawi and 3514 males from Tanzania aged 15–54 years was employed in the analysis by STATA version 17. Descriptive (graphs, tables and means), bi-variate (chi-square) and logistic regression analyses (unadjusted (U) and adjusted odds ratio (AOR)) were performed to identify the determinants associated with male involvement in FP decisions. The mean age of respondents in Malawi was 32 years (±8 SD) and in Tanzania, 36 years (±6 SD), with the prevalence of male involvement in FP decisions being 53.0% in Malawi and 26.6% in Tanzania. Being aged 35–44 years [AOR = 1.81; 95% CI: 1.59–2.05] and 45–54 years [AOR = 1.43; 95% CI: 1.22–1.67], educated (secondary/higher) [AOR = 1.62; 95% CI: 1.31–1.99], having access to media information [AOR = 1.35; 95% CI: 1.21–1.51] and having a female head of household [AOR = 1.79; 95% CI: 1.70–1.90] were determinant factors of male involvement in FP decisions in Malawi. Primary education [AOR = 1.94; 95% CI: 1.39–2.72], having a middle wealth index ranking [AOR = 1.46; 95% CI: 1.17–1.81], being married [AOR = 1.62; 95% CI: 1.38–1.90] and working [AOR = 2.86; 95% CI: 2.10–3.88] were higher predictors of male involvement in FP decisions in Tanzania. Increasing the role of males in FP decisions and involvement in FP utilization may improve uptake and continuity of FP usage. Therefore, the findings from this cross-sectional study will support redesigning the ineffective strategic FP programs that accommodate socio-demographic determinants that may increase the likelihood of male involvement in FP decisions, especially in the grassroots settings in Malawi and Tanzania.

Suggested Citation

  • Godswill Nwabuisi Osuafor & Monica Ewomazino Akokuwebe & Erhabor Sunday Idemudia, 2023. "Male Involvement in Family Planning Decisions in Malawi and Tanzania: What Are the Determinants?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(6), pages 1-18, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:6:p:5053-:d:1095761
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Áine Aventin & Martin Robinson & Jennifer Hanratty & Eimear Ruane‐McAteer & Mark Tomlinson & Mike Clarke & Friday Okonofua & Chris Bonell & Maria Lohan, 2021. "PROTOCOL: Involving men and boys in family planning: A systematic review of the effective components and characteristics of complex interventions in low‐ and middle‐income countries," Campbell Systematic Reviews, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 17(1), March.
    2. Jaehyun Ahn & Gary Briers & Mathew Baker & Edwin Price & Robert Strong & Manuel Piña & Alexis Zickafoose & Peng Lu, 2022. "Radio Communications on Family Planning: Case of West Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-10, April.
    3. Michael Ekholuenetale & Olah Uloko Owobi & Benedict Terfa Shishi, 2022. "Socioeconomic Position in Modern Contraceptive Uptake and Fertility Rate among Women of Childbearing Age in 37 Sub-Saharan Countries," World, MDPI, vol. 3(4), pages 1-18, October.
    4. Philile Shongwe & Busisiwe Ntuli & Sphiwe Madiba, 2019. "Assessing the Acceptability of Vasectomy as a Family Planning Option: A Qualitative Study with Men in the Kingdom of Eswatini," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-13, December.
    5. Roseman, M.J. & Reichenbach, L., 2010. "International conference on population and development at 15 years: Achieving sexual and reproductive health and rights for all?," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 100(3), pages 403-406.
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