Men’s participation in family planning and its implications on their position in the family in Bomet County, Kenya
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Date
2024-10
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Kenyatta University
Abstract
The Government of Kenya (GoK) has adopted strategic interventions to increase contraceptive use, reduce fertility, and address unmet Family Planning (FP) needs. These notwithstanding, average fertility rates have remained high at 4.6 percent, with contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) or all FP approaches at 46% and unmet needs for FP services at 24%. Even though there are several FP facilities in Bomet County, uptake of FP among married women of reproductive age (15-49 years) is about 47.5 %. This is low compared to the national average that is at 55 %. This study sought to examine men’s participation in FP and its implication on their position in the family in Bomet County, Kenya. The study’s objectives were: first, to determine men’s levels of participation in FP in Bomet County; second, to assess the factors that influence men’s participation in FP; third, to explain the relationship between men’s participation in FP and their position in the family and fourth, to identify strategies that ensure men’s participation in FP. Literature was reviewed based on the themes derived from the objectives. The study was informed by the Social Dominance Theory (Sidanius & Pratto 1999). The study's independent variable was men's participation in FP. Men's position in the family was the dependent variable which included: socio-cultural, socio- economic and gender-related factors. The intervening variables were: gender responsive health policies, gender responsive health facilities, gender sensitive cultural beliefs and practices and mass media campaigns on FP use. This research adopted a descriptive survey research design. Multi-stage cluster sampling was utilized to sample 394 participants from the households. Twelve key informants and seven FGDs were selected purposively. Data collection tools included; questionnaires, KIIs and focus group discussion (F-G-D) guides. Piloting of research instruments was done to achieve validity. Reliability of research instruments was determined by employing Cronbach’s alpha test. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23 was used to analyse quantitative data. Tables, graphs and charts were used to present the analysed data. Thematic grouping was used to analyse qualitative data which was presented in verbatim and narrative forms. Moreover, Pearson Chi-square was employed to establish relationship between some variables. The findings revealed low level participation of men in FP in Bomet County. The study established that men did not engage in FP issues since they believed it was prevalently a woman’s role. Further, men’s uptake of male FP methods was low. Vasectomy was regarded as a form of castration and condom use was believed to cause sexual dissatisfaction among the couples. Additionally, socio-cultural, socio-economic and institutional barriers negatively influenced men’s involvement in FP. Moreover, religious beliefs, desire to have large families and sex preferences impacted men’s participation in FP. The research found out that men’s lack of knowledge on female FP methods limited their wives’ contraceptive use. Moreover, men lacked finances to support their wives’ adoption of female FP methods. Further, the research established that, men did not adopt male FP methods in their marriages because they believed that it negatively impacted on their authority in the family. Recommendations of the study included; provision of FP education to men, establishment of gender inclusive FP policies, involving external partners in FP and engaging religious leaders on FP
Description
A thesis submitted to the school of law, arts and social sciences in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of doctor of philosophy degree in gender and development studies of Kenyatta University, October 2024
Supervisors:
Dr. Pacificah Okemwa
Dr. Zacharia W. Samita
Dr. Mildred Lodiaga