Background
Despite growing awareness on contraception and current global and national programmatic initiatives to improve contraceptive utilization, demand for modern contraception especially in Nigeria still persists.
Side effects, myths, misconceptions, cost and service accessibility are known causes of low uptake of modern family planning methods. Besides these, sociocultural factors such as societal gender norms might also play serious roles in limiting the adoption, acceptability and continued use of modern contraception.
Materials and Methods
This was a cross-sectional study conducted among men and women aged 18-49 years in four selected states in Nigeria, Abia, Kaduna, Lagos and Niger state. Data collection was done in one selected LGA in each state. A random number of wards were selected from the total wards in the study area and the total sample for each location were proportionately drawn from the selected wards. From the selected wards a systematic random process was used to select households in the wards for interviews, and eligible respondents were randomly selected.
Results
Total number of male and female participants in the study was 293 and 311 respectively. Among females a high level of partner involvement in contraception use showed statistically higher proportion to ever using a modern contraception (87.4%),current use of modern contraception (39%) and on knowledge of where to obtain contraception (97%).Similarly, among males, high level of partner involvement was associated with ever using a modern contraception and current use of a modern contraceptive, compared with low-level of partner involvement
Conclusion
Addressing partner involvement and socially constructed gender dynamics may play a key role to facilitate the use and uptake of modern contraception methods and will reduce unplanned pregnancies. There is need for couple-focused program which would help in providing sufficient information and counselling to partners for decision making and behaviours that will empower both partners.
