Factors Associated with Male Involvement in Family Planning Utilization in a Tharu Community

Male involvement in family planning not only enhances the couple's uptake but also provides continuity through spousal coordination to meet the family planning need. The study aims to assess the factors associated with male involvement in family planning utilization.

A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used in Madhyabindu Municipality from14th August to 10th September 2022. After proportionately selecting from each ward, the data was collected through a systematic random sampling technique among Tharu married males who were living together with reproductive age group wives. Data was analysed by using SPSS version-16. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for the data analysis.

Of the 151 males, almost half (49.7%) of the male had completed secondary level education. The majority (80.1%) had decided together by husband and wife about the contraceptive use. The majority (67.5%) of the male had active involvement in family planning utilization, while half (51.7%) of them visited family planning clinic and users of modern family planning methods were 40.4%. Most of (95.4%) them had easy access to temporary FP services and majority (74.2%) had easy access to permanent FP services. Education (p = 0.001), prior use of contraception (p = 0.001), and easy access to permanent family planning methods (p = 0.012) were statistically significant with male involvement in family planning utilization.

Two-fifth of the males were users of family planning methods. Education, prior use of contraception and easy access to family planning services were the significant factors associated with male involvement in family planning utilization.