Knowledge, Attitude and Preferred Method of Family Planning among Men Living in an Urban Slum in Kano, Nigeria

Abstract

Context:Male involvement in family planning (FP) has a direct influence on their spouse's attitude towards the use of modern contraceptives.Aims:The aim was to determine the knowledge, attitude and preferred methods of FP among men living in an urban slum of Kano, Nigeria.Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional design was used to study 110 married men living in Dorayi Quarters in Kano. Data were obtained using interviewer-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to describe categorical variables.P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results:The mean age was 39 ± 11.01 years. Majority (64%) were among 22–41 age groups. Most (97.22%) of the respondents were Muslims, whereas the remaining 2.78% were Christians. Majority of the respondents (96%) were married and 62 (57.41%) had secondary education. Up to 44.4% of the respondents had good knowledge of FP, with oral contraceptive pills as the most widely known methods (80%), followed by injectable (75%), male condom was known by 73% of the respondents, withdrawal by 55% and (IUCD) intrauterine contraceptive device by 25% in that order. Almost two-third of the respondents believed that FP practice is a good practice. Respondent's family structure and educational status were also noted to significantly influence their knowledge of and attitude towards FP (P< 0.05).Conclusions:FP knowledge, attitude and preferred method among men in Dorayi is relatively higher than popular assumptions. However, health education needs to be intensified to encourage the practice of FP.