Male Involvement in Family Planning: An Integrative Review

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this review was to identify evidence about determinants of male engagement in family planning. Methods: An integrative review was used to assess the determinants of male engagement in family planning. Data search was between 2014 and 2019 using Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, Pub Med, Medline, CINAHL, EBSCO, Cochrane, and EBSCO host. A total of 14 articles met the eligibility criteria. Results: The fourteen reviewed articles were adopted with mixed method designs, randomized controlled trial, quazi-experimental, and survey. Themes were: determinant of male engagement in family planning, women perception of male enrolment in family planning, and methods to enhance male use of family planning. Conclusion: Religion, large family size, culture, fear of side effect, access and exposure to information, attitudes, norms and self-efficacy and interaction with a health care provider are determinants of male involvement in family planning use. Interventional programs by health care providers and intensive education to men will positively increase prevalence of family planning use. It’s recommended to involve religious leaders in education. Implication: More attention is needed at community and governmental level to identify strategies to promote gender equity, shared decision making, shared responsibility and positive participation of men, empowering women, and to increase effectiveness of male participation.