Factors that hinder the utilization of Family Planning Services among Men of Reproductive Age in Langata Sub-County, Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

In Kenya, most family planning services are ut ilized by female clients and this has led to this study to establish the factors hindering the ut ilizat ion of family planning services among men of reproduct ive age in Langata Sub-County, Nairobi, Kenya. A descript ive cross-sect ional research design was used. Convenience sampling technique was used to recruit the study part icipants. Data was collected usin g a quest ionnaire and with key informant interviews. Quant itat ive data was analyzed stat ist ically while qualitat ive data was analyzed themat ically. The results indicate that 100% of the part icipants had heard about Family Planning (FP) methods. Knowledge on FP methods for men was high for male condoms (88%), sterilizat ion (24%), while withdrawal was ident ified by 4% of t he part icipant s. 28% of the men felt t hat family planning was a woman‟s affair and only 4% (n-1) had visited a FP clinic. Addit ionally, 80% of the men reported current use of a FP method by their female partner. Barriers cited as hindering the ut ilizat ion of family planning services by men include fear of vasectomy, lack of male friendly services, substance abuse and lack of t ime. The study concluded that men recognize that they have a role to play in fami ly planning but admit that there are barriers to the ut ilizat ion of family planning services. The study recommends the implementat ion of t ransformat ive family planning programmes that will act ively engage men in the family planning agenda. Gender mainst reaming into family planning programmes will also be crucial to address the gender norms that make men shy away from ut ilizing family planning services.