An Exploratory Study on Preferences for Adopting Family Planning Methods Among Married Males Residing in Selected Areas of Dera Bassi, District Mohali, Punjab

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess the preferences for adopting family planning methods and to explore the factors influencing the preferences for adopting family planning methods among married males, to find the association between preferences for adopting family planning methods among married males and their selected demographic variables.
The conceptual framework of the study was based on health belief model (1974). Pilot study was done in the month of January on 10 married males. The tool consisted of three sections-demographic proforma, Rank-ordered structured and checklist.
The data collection period for main study was from 14 January 2014 to 10 February 2014.Purposive sampling technique was used to select 100 subjects. The gathered data was analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics.
The findings revealed that out of 100 subjects, maximum 35% belongs to age group of 21-30 years, Half subjects were educated up to senior secondary, 57 % of were Sikh,56% belongs to nuclear family, highest(42%) subjects were self-employed, 51% married males were having total monthly family income of 5001–10,000, 34% subjects having duration of 5 years of marriage, 44% were having 1 child, 69% subjects considered mass media as source of previous knowledge of family planning methods.
Out of 100 subjects, 60% perceived that their family is completed; similar percent (54%) prefer that males should adopt family planning methods and prefer to adopt permanent family planning method, respectively.
The most preferable family planning method among married males was barrier family planning method (93%) and condom was most preferable method among this category 62% subjects prefer hormonal contraceptives with oral contraceptives, i.e. 45%. Traditional methods, natural methods and intrauterine devices were least preferable methods. Majority of subjects (84%) were influenced to adopt family planning method by accessibility and availability of methods, 75% subjects were influenced to maintain gap between pregnancies, and 61% subjects were influenced by peer group to adopt family planning method.
By using Chi square, preference for adopting barrier family planning method was statistically associated with age and religion at p level ≤ 0.05.Preference for adopting hormonal contraceptives, intrauterine devices and female sterilization was statistically associated with total number of living children at p level ≤ 0.05. Preference for adopting traditional family planning method was statistically associated with residential area and duration of marriage whereas preference for adopting natural family planning method was statistically associated with residential area at p level ≤ 0.05.
Hence, it was concluded that among temporary family planning methods condom was most preferable method and among permanent family planning method male sterilization was most preferable due their easy accessibility and availability, to maintain gap between pregnancies and peer group influence. Hence, there is need to explore the barriers for adopting family planning methods so that myths and barriers can be dealt with.