[Men participation in contraception according to women's perspective]

To identify women's perceptions on men's participation in contraception.

Home interviews in the southern region of the city of S. Paulo, SP, Brazil, were carried out. The participant sample was of 254 female users of reversible contraceptive methods, who claimed to have sexual partners at moment of the interview. Statistical analysis of the demographic variables and content analysis techniques of the open questions were performed.

In 78.8% of the cases, the contraceptive method of choice was of exclusive female use (pills, injectable, IUD, diaphragm). In spite of the high prevalence of female contraceptive methods, 82.7% of the participants asserted that their male partners were active participants in the contraception, which shows a discrepancy between the method used and their perception on men's participation. The main categories concerning women's perceptions on men's participation in contraception were: men support for the women to use female contraceptive methods and the occasional use by men of male contraceptive method when a woman needs to temporarily interrupt the use of her current contraceptive method.

Women perceive men's participation in contraception as a support for them to use contraceptive methods that are highly efficient. The partner's support may be translated by buying the contraceptive pills, reminding the woman of taking them or expressing their opinion about the desired number of children. Women see contraception as an activity of her responsibility and their partners have an auxiliary role.