Involve more men in reproductive health
Aug 07, 2008
World Population Day was marked on July 11 under the national theme: “Promote and Invest in Family Planning for National Development.†Uganda’s population growth rate, estimated at 3.2% annually, is among the highest in the world. The 2006 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS) says, fami
By Ann Kobusinge
World Population Day was marked on July 11 under the national theme: “Promote and Invest in Family Planning for National Development.†Uganda’s population growth rate, estimated at 3.2% annually, is among the highest in the world. The 2006 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS) says, family planning usage/ contraceptive prevalence rate stands at 24%. The contraceptive prevalence rate refers to the percentage of married women who are using modern methods of contraception.
Male opposition and indifference, especially in the rural areas, is one of the factors affecting use of family planning services. Birth control is unpopular among mostly men.
Unless the current trend is changed, Uganda’s contraceptive prevalence rate will continue to be low and thus high maternal (death of women as a result of pregnancy related issues) and infant mortality rates.
Uganda performs badly on reducing maternal and infant mortality rates, two of the eight millennium development goals (MDG) set by the UN countries to be realised by 2015. Uganda’s 2007 MDG progress report by UNDP indicates that we cannot achieve the two goals in the remaining period.
Information about reproductive health is scanty as far as men are concerned. Men are usually given information about vasectomy and condoms and hardly anything about family planning methods for women. Men are not told the importance of antenatal care, intrapartum and post natal care. Most men do not know that pregnancy and child birth affect the health of women significantly.
There is need to address men’s reproductive health needs, which tend to be neglected by the health systems and by men themselves.
Culturally, reproductive matters are largely considered a matter for women, with male partners taking minimum or no responsibility. For example, when a man takes a child for immunisation, service providers begin wondering where the mother of the child is.
Decision making with respect to reproductive health are taken by men yet the burden of reproduction and reproductive health is disproportionately borne by women. Male partners often have the last say on number of children to have and do not expect this to be challenged.
Family planning programmes target a woman whose influence over her sexuality and reproductive health is limited. Many women in rural areas conceal their use of contraceptives from their husbands who do not want them to use them.
According to the UDHS 2006, only 45% of women discussed family planning with their husbands. On average, a Ugandan woman produces seven children in her life time, yet according to the survey, men expressed a desire for larger families than women. The ideal family size among married women was 5.3 children compared to 6.4 for men.
Men need to be concerned about their partners reproductive health. Whether pregnancy is desired or not, they need to be personally involved in decisions on how to prevent or prepare for it. Men’s shared responsibilities should be emphasised and their active involvement in family planning and safe motherhood promoted.
This should include increasing men’s support for women’s actions related to child birth, use of available family planning methods for men and promoting inter spousal communication on reproductive health issues. The impact of HIV/AIDS calls for changes in sexual behaviour which requires the cooperation of men. We should strengthen ways in which men relate to women’s and their own reproductive and sexual health perceptions and needs, and how they relate to reproductive health policies and programmes.
The writer is a registered
comprehensive nurse
World Population Day was marked on July 11 under the national theme: “Promote and Invest in Family Planning for National Development.†Uganda’s population growth rate, estimated at 3.2% annually, is among the highest in the world. The 2006 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS) says, family planning usage/ contraceptive prevalence rate stands at 24%. The contraceptive prevalence rate refers to the percentage of married women who are using modern methods of contraception.
Male opposition and indifference, especially in the rural areas, is one of the factors affecting use of family planning services. Birth control is unpopular among mostly men.
Unless the current trend is changed, Uganda’s contraceptive prevalence rate will continue to be low and thus high maternal (death of women as a result of pregnancy related issues) and infant mortality rates.
Uganda performs badly on reducing maternal and infant mortality rates, two of the eight millennium development goals (MDG) set by the UN countries to be realised by 2015. Uganda’s 2007 MDG progress report by UNDP indicates that we cannot achieve the two goals in the remaining period.
Information about reproductive health is scanty as far as men are concerned. Men are usually given information about vasectomy and condoms and hardly anything about family planning methods for women. Men are not told the importance of antenatal care, intrapartum and post natal care. Most men do not know that pregnancy and child birth affect the health of women significantly.
There is need to address men’s reproductive health needs, which tend to be neglected by the health systems and by men themselves.
Culturally, reproductive matters are largely considered a matter for women, with male partners taking minimum or no responsibility. For example, when a man takes a child for immunisation, service providers begin wondering where the mother of the child is.
Decision making with respect to reproductive health are taken by men yet the burden of reproduction and reproductive health is disproportionately borne by women. Male partners often have the last say on number of children to have and do not expect this to be challenged.
Family planning programmes target a woman whose influence over her sexuality and reproductive health is limited. Many women in rural areas conceal their use of contraceptives from their husbands who do not want them to use them.
According to the UDHS 2006, only 45% of women discussed family planning with their husbands. On average, a Ugandan woman produces seven children in her life time, yet according to the survey, men expressed a desire for larger families than women. The ideal family size among married women was 5.3 children compared to 6.4 for men.
Men need to be concerned about their partners reproductive health. Whether pregnancy is desired or not, they need to be personally involved in decisions on how to prevent or prepare for it. Men’s shared responsibilities should be emphasised and their active involvement in family planning and safe motherhood promoted.
This should include increasing men’s support for women’s actions related to child birth, use of available family planning methods for men and promoting inter spousal communication on reproductive health issues. The impact of HIV/AIDS calls for changes in sexual behaviour which requires the cooperation of men. We should strengthen ways in which men relate to women’s and their own reproductive and sexual health perceptions and needs, and how they relate to reproductive health policies and programmes.
The writer is a registered
comprehensive nurse