Factors Influencing Men’s Participatory Roles in Reproductive Health Services: Place of Health Communication and Education in Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined variables associated with men’s participatory roles in reproductive health services in Ogun State Nigeria. Descriptive survey research design with qualitative method was adopted for the study. Eight hundred (n=800) participants were randomly selected for the study. Data were gleaned using validated instruments, which were: demographic Information Form (DIF) and Likert modified scale questionnaire which were: Educational factor for men participation questionnaire (EFMPQ. R=8.882)., Age/experience factor for men participation questionnaire (AFMPQ. R=0.723)., Religious factor for men participation questionnaire (RFMPQ. R=.772) and Reproductive health education influence questionnaire (RHEIQ. R=0.92). Inferential statistics of Chi-square (x²), t test and multiple regression analysis were used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that the four variables of religion, level of education, level of  reproductive health education and cultural background of men contributed significantly to the roles of  men on reproductive health services in various degrees while age of men, based on the findings does not. It was also established in the study that the nature of reproductive health service: family planning, fertility issues and STI prevention influences men participatory roles ((R²=0.243, P < 0.05 ). It was recommended that men’s participation should be enhanced through behavior change communication/information strategies and also, further studies should be carried out on the influence of Islam and Christianity, on men’s participation in reproductive health services with improved researches on men’s contraceptive devices.

Keywords: reproductive health, family health, cultural background, men participation, fertility