MALE INVOLVEMENT IN POSTPARTUM LONG-ACTING REVERSIBLE CONTRACEPTIVE USE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG MARRIED MEN IN SHEBEDINO WOREDA, SIDAMA REGION, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA, 2023

Abstract

Background: Males' participation in long-acting reversible contraceptives during the postpartum period is determinantal to reproductive health outcomes and for achieving national and sustainable development goals. Most research findings on male participation in family planning are concerned with short-acting family planning in Africa, including Ethiopia. Despite this, little is known about male involvement in postpartum long-acting reversible contraceptive use of their wife in Africa, particularly in Ethiopia. Objective: To assess the magnitude of male involvement in postpartum long-acting reversible contraceptive use and association factors among married males in Shebedinno woreda, Sidama regional state, Southern Ethiopia, 2023. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 633 randomly selected married males from July 30 to August 30, 2023. Data were collected using pretested, questionnaires. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted. Multicollinearity and model fitness were examined. The crude and adjusted odds ratios, together with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals, were computed; a P value < 0.05 was considered a level of statistical significance. Result: A total sample size of 623 married men responded to the questionnaires, yielding a response rate of 98.4%. Out of the 623 male participants, 197 (31.6%, 95% CI: 28.6, 36.0) were involved in postpartum long-acting reversible contraceptive usage by their spouses. Men with a secondary school education (AOR = 2.35, 95% CI: 1.12, 4.93) and those with a diploma or higher (AOR = 4.42, 95% CI: 1.80, 10.83), heard information about long-acting reversible contraceptives (AOR = 2.77, 95% CI: 1.07, 7.16), having good knowledge (AOR = 1.84, 95% CI: 1.24, 2.74) and a positive attitude towards the use of long-acting reversible contraceptives postpartum (AOR = 2.18, 95% CI: 1.47, 3.24) all proved to be positively significant factors. Conclusion and recommendations: Overall, male participation in postpartum long-acting reversible contraceptive use of their spouse was relatively low. Therefore promoting male participation in postpartum long-acting reversible contraceptives requires effective community awareness, dissemination of information, education, and communication, and fostering a positive attitude towards these contraceptives.