Population Council Research that makes a difference

Abstract

Let there be light for increasing use of male contraceptive methods in low-performing areas of Bangladesh 
Presentation at the American Public Health Association 139th Annual Meeting and Exposition, 31 October
Rahman,Laila; Rob,Ubaidur
Publication date: 2011


Purpose
Bangladesh is an international success story for having an eight-fold increase in contraceptive use over the last three decades. However, burgeoning population growth and unacceptably low male participation in contraception remain major concerns. This study attempts to identify determinants of male contraceptive use from low-performing regions.

Data
Data were collected from 1,601 married males 18-54 years old by using systematic random sampling in 2008. Of them, the sample constituted 1,006 males who used contraceptives in the last year.

Methods
Descriptive statistics and logistic regression using SPSS 14.0 were used. Two outcomes of the dependent variable included use and nonuse of any male contraceptive method last year.

Results
With a mean age of 38.18 years and an average 3.6 years of schooling, the average value of assets was 7.41. Only 9.3 percent of males used contraceptives. Logistic regression analysis indicated that insights on male contraceptives determined their use of contraception after controlling for age, education, location, and wealth. Men who knew that vasectomy does not create impotency were twice as likely to use contraceptives (OR, 2.08, 95% CI, 1.29-3.36), and men who knew about condom use were almost nine times more likely (OR, 8.80, 95% CI, 4.58-16.89) to use contraceptives. Unlike education and location, wealth was no longer significant when contraceptive knowledge variables were added to the model.

Recommendations
To reduce the enormous gender gap and increase contraceptive use, effective communication strategies are required to dispel misconceptions in low-performing regions. Programs have long been targeting mostly females; now it's high time to enlighten males and make them equally responsible for family planning.