Contraceptive practice among married market men in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND

Until recently, family planning researchers and service providers had focused almost exclusively on women. Men are often seen as uncooperative and uninterested in family planning or reproductive health.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the contraceptive knowledge, attitude and practice among married market men.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional survey.

SETTING

llesa Main Market, Osun State, Nigeria.

SUBJECTS

Four hundred and fifty married market men were interviewed between November 2000 and January 2001.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Level of awareness and utilisation, reasons for non-use, influence of socio-demographic variables.

RESULTS

All the men were aware of family planning and 60.9% are currently using a form of contraception with their spouse. Reasons for non-contraceptive use by 39.1% of the respondents include: family size not yet complete, religious opposition, afraid of contraceptive failure, still searching for a male sex. Christianity and education were significantly associated with contraceptive use and knowledge (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Men favour contraceptive use in Nigeria. Involving men by family planning providers is a winning strategy with benefits to both men and women.