Abstract

In patriarchal societies like Kenya, understanding men’s perceptions and attitudes on family planning is critical given their decision-making roles that affect uptake of contraception. Yet, most programmes mainly target women as primary users of contraceptive methods since they bear the burden of pregnancy. However, women-focused approaches tend to overlook gender power dynamics within relationships, with men wielding excessive power that determines contraception use or non-use. A qualitative study involving focus group discussions and in-depth interviews was conducted in the two predominantly Muslim communities of Lamu and Wajir counties, Kenya. Open-ended questions explored perspectives, attitudes and men’s understanding of contraception, family size, decision making on family planning and general views on contraceptive use. Thematic content analysis was used. Findings show that men in Wajir and Lamu held similar viewpoints of family planning as a foreign or western idea and associated family planning with ill health and promiscuity. They believed family planning is a “woman’s affair” that requires little or no input from men. Men from Wajir desired a big family size. There is a need for a shift in family planning programmes to enable men’s positive engagement. The findings from this study can be used to develop culturally appropriate approaches to engage men, challenge negative social norms and foster positive social change to improve uptake of family planning.

摘要

在肯尼亚这样的父权社会中，鉴于男性的决策角色会影响避孕措施的采用，因此了解男性对计划生育的看法和态度至关重要。然而，大多数计划主要将妇女作为避孕方法的主要使用者，因为她们承担着怀孕的负担。然而，以女性为中心的方法往往忽视关系中的性别权力动态，男性拥有决定避孕措施使用或不使用的过度权力。在肯尼亚拉穆县和瓦吉尔县这两个主要穆斯林社区进行了一项涉及焦点小组讨论和深入访谈的定性研究。开放式问题探讨了男性对避孕的观点、态度和理解、家庭规模、计划生育的决策以及对避孕药具使用的一般看法。使用了主题内容分析。调查结果表明，瓦吉尔和拉穆的男性对计划生育持有类似的观点，认为计划生育是一种外国或西方观念，并将计划生育与健康不佳和滥交联系在一起。他们认为计划生育是“女人的事”，几乎不需要男性的投入。瓦吉尔的男人想要一个大家庭。需要改变计划生育方案，以促进男性的积极参与。这项研究的结果可用于制定适合男性参与的文化方法，挑战消极的社会规范并促进积极的社会变革，以提高计划生育的接受度。他们认为计划生育是“女人的事”，几乎不需要男性的投入。瓦吉尔的男人想要一个大家庭。需要改变计划生育方案，以促进男性的积极参与。这项研究的结果可用于制定适合男性参与的文化方法，挑战消极的社会规范并促进积极的社会变革，以提高计划生育的接受度。他们认为计划生育是“女人的事”，几乎不需要男性的投入。瓦吉尔的男人想要一个大家庭。需要改变计划生育方案，以促进男性的积极参与。这项研究的结果可用于制定适合男性参与的文化方法，挑战消极的社会规范并促进积极的社会变革，以提高计划生育的接受度。