Male participation in family planning and its influence factors

Abstract

Doi: 10.5902/217976929998 Aims: to identify the forms of male participation in the family planning process, as well as the factors involved in their participation, to comprehend the men's knowledge about the method used by the couple and to describe how the process of negotiation happens when choosing the method. Method: exploratory research with qualitative approach carried out with 16 men. We used a form and semi-structured interview as instruments for data collection, which were organized by the Discourse of the Collective Subject Method. Results: the men participated in family planning as logistical support to their partners. The responsibility on contraception was women's, due to limited time availability of partners. They knew about condoms and oral contraceptive hormones, however discussed little about trading the use of contraception. Final remarks: family planning still happens unilaterally and guided by the gender hierarchy that imposes upon women the burden of symbolic and physical responsibility of contraception.