| dc.description.abstract | The purpose of this study is to examine how some demographic, socio-cultural, socio-economic and contraceptive acceptance affect husband total number of living children in Kenya. The objective of the study is based on the fact that the level of family planning participation is very low despite the fact that the programme was started 3 decades and to date it has made no major impact on Kenyan husbands therefore, there is need to examine what has contributed to this low contraceptive prevalence and consequent high fertility. The study uses secondary data which was collected during Kenya demographic and health survey in 1989. A sab-sample of 1,116 husband were reached in this survey and this is the target group in the study. For the analysis the study has employed cross-tabulations, chi square test empirical and operational models as tool of analysis. The following are the major findings; (i) the knowledge of family planning methods was quite high 91% but the level of current use was very low among Kenyan husbands 49.3%. (ii) That husbands depends mainly on their wives to practice birth control with their highest choice being female sterilization with 24% and female injection 23% a preferred future method (iii) since family planning information is passed face to face to women at the MCH/FP clinics, the husbands who are excluded from this setting misses this reliable sources information and are subjected to misinformation and rumours. (iv) Religion, Ethnicity, Contraceptive acceptance, marriage type and age had negative and positive influence respectively on the total number of children per husband. Fertility preference by husbands of all ages was found to generally high. (v) finally, husband discussions, with wife, approval of and a general positive attitude of family planning had a significant influence on wife’s contraceptive use. The following recommendations were subjected: MOH/FP approach should be looked into and be biased towards including male barrier to attend these clinics. It is necessary for creation of attached department specifically concerned with male reproductive health. (ii) family planning IEC should tirelessly convince and convey the necessity for men to regulate their fertility responsibility and dutify to facilitate the heath and economy of their wives, children and nations. (iii) Family planning IEC should be promoted and geared towards reaching more husbands. Population education should be introduced to out of school men especially youths so that they can make better informed fertility decisions early enough. Daddies clubs should be formed to reach husbands in their offices. Churches, factories with family planning messages to avoid them on rumours and myths | |
