Male attitudes towards family planning in the Limpopo province of South Africa
Background: Women often do not receive support from their partners with regards to family planning (FP), which can lead to hesitancy and inconsistent use. This study sought to understand the male attitudes that contribute to this. Methods: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted in 2019 using...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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AOSIS
2022-10-01
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| Series: | South African Family Practice |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/5587 |
| _version_ | 1811331040240730112 |
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| author | Ndifelani D. Radzuma Gert J.O. Marincowitz Clara Marincowitz |
| author_facet | Ndifelani D. Radzuma Gert J.O. Marincowitz Clara Marincowitz |
| author_sort | Ndifelani D. Radzuma |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Women often do not receive support from their partners with regards to family planning (FP), which can lead to hesitancy and inconsistent use. This study sought to understand the male attitudes that contribute to this.
Methods: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted in 2019 using focus group discussions (FGDs) with purposively selected men aged ≥ 25 years and in a relationship with a woman of childbearing age. An open-ended question guide was used to explore men’s perceptions regarding FP. The discussions were recorded, translated and transcribed verbatim, whereafter transcripts were coded and analysed thematically.
Results: Three major themes were identified, namely: (1) the advantages of FP, including financial benefits and the prevention of sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancy; (2) the disadvantages of FP, including perceived adverse effects on men and women, as well as marital difficulties; and (3) the exclusion of men from FP by health workers and their partners.
Conclusion: Men felt ambivalent towards FP. They were aware of the benefits thereof, but were hesitant to allow their female partners to use contraceptives, because of several misconceptions about the adverse effects. This underscores the need to involve men in FP programmes. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T16:14:08Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-abefc271ae954be0a6fcf258767eb055 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2078-6190 2078-6204 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T16:14:08Z |
| publishDate | 2022-10-01 |
| publisher | AOSIS |
| record_format | Article |
| series | South African Family Practice |
| spelling | doaj.art-abefc271ae954be0a6fcf258767eb0552022-12-22T02:40:08ZengAOSISSouth African Family Practice2078-61902078-62042022-10-01641e1e610.4102/safp.v64i1.55874266Male attitudes towards family planning in the Limpopo province of South AfricaNdifelani D. Radzuma0Gert J.O. Marincowitz1Clara Marincowitz2Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Limpopo, Mankweng, South Africa; and, Limpopo Health, Kgapane Hospital, KgapaneDepartment of Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Limpopo, Mankweng, South Africa; and, Department of Family Medicine, Limpopo Department of Health, Mankweng Hospital, MankwengDepartment of Psychiatry, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg, South Africa; and, SA Medical Research Council, Cape TownBackground: Women often do not receive support from their partners with regards to family planning (FP), which can lead to hesitancy and inconsistent use. This study sought to understand the male attitudes that contribute to this. Methods: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted in 2019 using focus group discussions (FGDs) with purposively selected men aged ≥ 25 years and in a relationship with a woman of childbearing age. An open-ended question guide was used to explore men’s perceptions regarding FP. The discussions were recorded, translated and transcribed verbatim, whereafter transcripts were coded and analysed thematically. Results: Three major themes were identified, namely: (1) the advantages of FP, including financial benefits and the prevention of sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancy; (2) the disadvantages of FP, including perceived adverse effects on men and women, as well as marital difficulties; and (3) the exclusion of men from FP by health workers and their partners. Conclusion: Men felt ambivalent towards FP. They were aware of the benefits thereof, but were hesitant to allow their female partners to use contraceptives, because of several misconceptions about the adverse effects. This underscores the need to involve men in FP programmes.https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/5587family planningcontraceptionrural menperceptionsattitudesdecision-makingcommunicationfocus group discussion |
| spellingShingle | Ndifelani D. Radzuma Gert J.O. Marincowitz Clara Marincowitz Male attitudes towards family planning in the Limpopo province of South Africa South African Family Practice family planning contraception rural men perceptions attitudes decision-making communication focus group discussion |
| title | Male attitudes towards family planning in the Limpopo province of South Africa |
| title_full | Male attitudes towards family planning in the Limpopo province of South Africa |
| title_fullStr | Male attitudes towards family planning in the Limpopo province of South Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | Male attitudes towards family planning in the Limpopo province of South Africa |
| title_short | Male attitudes towards family planning in the Limpopo province of South Africa |
| title_sort | male attitudes towards family planning in the limpopo province of south africa |
| topic | family planning contraception rural men perceptions attitudes decision-making communication focus group discussion |
| url | https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/5587 |
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