Individual and socio-cultural factors influencing male involvement in family planning decision-making among men attending Ndejje Health Center IV, Wakiso District. A cross-sectional study.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51168/sjhrafrica.v7i3.2274Keywords:
individual and socio-cultural factors, male involvement, family planning decision makingAbstract
Background:
The study aimed to determine the individual and socio-cultural factors influencing male involvement in family planning decision-making among men attending Ndejje Health Center IV, Wakiso District.
Methodology:
This descriptive cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted at Ndejje Health Centre IV, Wakiso District, to assess male involvement in family planning decision-making. A sample of 50 men was calculated using the Kish and Leslie (1965) formula at a 95% confidence level with a 10% non-response rate. Participants were conveniently selected. Data were collected over five days using structured researcher-administered questionnaires covering demographic, individual, and sociocultural factors. Data were analyzed with Microsoft Excel and presented as frequencies and charts. Validity, reliability, ethical approval, informed consent, confidentiality, and voluntary participation were ensured.
Results:
The study included 50 men attending Ndejje Health Centre IV. Most respondents were aged 39-58 years (58%), while 16% were aged 59 years and above. A large proportion were cohabiting (40%), followed by singles (32%) and married men (16%). Nearly half were businessmen (46%), and 38% had attained secondary education, while 14% had no formal education. All respondents (100%) were aware of family planning methods. However, 78% reported unstable income, and 4% had no income. Although 82% personally supported family planning, 70% believed women are mainly responsible for FP decisions. More than half (54%) felt men have no role in FP, 76% sometimes avoided FP discussions due to stigma, 94% lacked social support, and 76% reported no religious encouragement for male involvement.
Conclusion:
Men's involvement in decision-making remained low due to unstable income and persistent socio-cultural barriers such as stigma, lack of social and religious support, and the belief that family planning is primarily a woman’s responsibility.
Recommendation:
The Ministry of Health should prioritize the integration of male-focused reproductive health programs.
References
Baglan, D., & Esencan, T. Y. (2025). Examining men's attitudes toward family planning in Istanbul, Turkey. BMC Public Health, 25(1), 1150.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22402-2
Biswas, S., Nasar, S., Nowshin, N., Imtiaz, S. H., Hossain, M. R., Jabbar, A., Nadim, A. S. M., Islam, M. R., Misha, F., & Rashid, S. F. (2022). Methodological challenges in conducting sexual and reproductive health research among young males in Bangladesh: reflections from a nationwide mixed methods study. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 21, 16094069221120340. https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069221120341
D'Souza, P., Bailey, J. V., Stephenson, J., & Oliver, S. (2022). Factors influencing contraception choice and use globally: a synthesis of systematic reviews. The European Journal of Contraception & Reproductive Health Care, 27(5), 364-372. https://doi.org/10.1080/13625187.2022.2096215
Dombola, G. M., Manda, W. C., & Chipeta, E. (2021). Factors influencing contraceptive decision making and use among young adolescents in urban Lilongwe, Malawi: a qualitative study. Reproductive Health, 18(1), 209. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-021-01259-9
Levesque, S., Toupin, A., & Pugliese, M. (2024). Contraception: A gendered burden? A mixed-methods exploration of experiences around contraception responsibility. The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 33(2), 236-248. https://doi.org/10.3138/cjhs-2024-0006
McLean, K. E., & Thulin, E. J. (2022). "If the Woman Doesn't Prevent, You Will Become Pregnant": Exploring Male Involvement in Contraceptive Use Preceding Unplanned Pregnancy in Sierra Leone. Studies in Family Planning, 53(1), 153-171. https://doi.org/10.1111/sifp.12189
Odira, F. H., Mpambije, C. J., & Kachenje, Y. E. (2025). The paradox of enhancing male involvement in family planning uptake in rural Tanzania: insights from Bahi District, Dodoma Region. BMC Health Services Research, 25(1), 491. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-12467-5
Osuafor, G. N., Akokuwebe, M. E., & Idemudia, E. S. (2023). Male involvement in Family Planning decisions in Malawi and Tanzania: what are the determinants? International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(6), 5053. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20065053
Sauerbrun-Cutler, M.-T., Pandya, S., Recabo, O., Raker, C., Clark, M. A., & Robison, K. (2023). Survey of young women with breast cancer to identify rates of fertility preservation (FP) discussion and barriers to FP care. Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, 40(8), 2003-2011. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-023-02850-8
Solo, J., & Festin, M. (2019). Provider bias in family planning services: a review of its meaning and manifestations. Global Health: Science and Practice, 7(3), 371-385. https://doi.org/10.9745/GHSP-D-19-00130
Tekakwo, A., Nabirye, R. C., Nantale, R., Oguttu, F., Nambozo, B., Wani, S., Musaba, M. W., Mukunya, D., & Epuitai, J. (2023). Enablers and barriers of male involvement in the use of modern family planning methods in Eastern Uganda: a qualitative study. Contraception and Reproductive Medicine, 8(1), 49. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40834-023-00251-x
Wambete, S. N., Serwaa, D., Dzantor, E. K., Baru, A., Poku-Agyemang, E., Kukeba, M. W., Bashiru, Y., & Olayemi, O. O. (2024). Determinants for male involvement in family planning and contraception in Nakawa division, Kampala, Uganda; an urban slum qualitative study. PLOS Global Public Health, 4(5), e0003207. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0003207
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Joselyne Nakimuli, Edrine Mayanja, Hasifa Nansereko, Immaculate Prosperia Naggulu, Francisco Ssemuwemba, Jane Frank Nalubega
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
