Factors Influencing Male Involvement and Participation in Family Planning in Kenya"

Abstract

Men play a critical role in family planning as heads of households. African men are often key figures in domestic decision making, particularly about fertility behaviour and preferences and that authority is supported by tradition. The men are also the main link between the family and the prevailing culture and also the major players in bringing development to the home. Given the importance of family planning programmes in improving the health of women and children and in reducing population growth rates, men's support and involvement are essential for family planning to become widespread. Unfortunately, studies to investigate the fertility behaviour of African men for a better understanding of their reproductive intentions have been limited. This study looks at the information about background characteristics of Kenyan men and how these promote or inhibit their knowledge and use of contraceptives. These factors have been used to explain why despite the high knowledge about contraceptives, use has remained very low. The paper gives recommendations or suggestions for action by policy makers, programmers and researchers for family planning programmes to succeed in Kenya. The study has utilized secondary data from the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) 1998 which was conducted by the National Council for Population and Development (NCPD) in collaboration with the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS). The Survey covered all areas of Kenya except the North Eastern Province and districts of Marsabit, Isiolo, Samburu and Turkana. The analysis in this paper is based on all 3407 men aged 15-54 years who responded to the survey.