Gender Norms and Family Planning Practices Among Men in Western Jamaica

Women’s contraceptive profiles in Burundi: Knowledge, attitudes, and interactions with media and health services

Reproductive health program managers seek information about existing and potential clients’ motivations, behaviors, and barriers to services. Using sequence and cluster analysis of contraceptive calendar data from the 2016–17 Burundi Demographic and Health Survey, we identified discrete clusters characterizing patterns in women’s contraceptive and pregnancy behaviors over the previous 5 years. This study pairs these clusters with data on factors typically targeted in social behavior change interventions: knowledge, attitudes, and women’s interactions with media and health services, to create composite profiles of women in these clusters. Of six clusters, three are characterized by contraceptive use and three are characterized by its absence. Media exposure and attitudes regarding sex preference, wife beating, and self-efficacy largely do not explain cluster membership. Contraceptive knowledge is positively associated with two clusters (Family Builder 1 and Traditional Mother) and negatively associated with a third (Quiet Calendar). Clusters also differ in their members’ fertility desires, contraceptive intentions, and interactions with health services. Two “Family Builder” clusters are both characterized by the presence (but not timing) of multiple pregnancies in their calendar histories, but differ in that women with high contraceptive knowledge, intentions to use contraception, and well-articulated family size ideals are characteristic of one cluster (Family Builder 1), and low contraceptive knowledge, no use of contraception, and vague family size preferences are characteristic of the other (Family Builder 2). These results can guide reproductive health programs as they target social and behavioral change and other interventions to the unique subpopulations they seek to serve.

The influence of men's masculine gender-role attitude and behaviour on sexual relationships and reproductive health in Malaysia: A cross-sectional study

Background

This article is an extension of a previous research on masculinity and sexual and reproductive health using a newly developed local masculinity scale, KANITA Masculinity Scale, to study men's masculine gender-role attitude and behavior in Malaysia.

Objective

To explore how Malaysian men's masculine gender-role attitude and behavior influence sexual relationships and reproductive health.

Materials and Methods

This cross-sectional study used the localized gender-equitable men scale to measure the attitude of Malaysian men toward sexual relationships and reproductive health. A questionnaire survey was administered to a sample of 168 men of ages 20-64 yr, in Malaysia. Data were analyzed using SmartPLS version 3.2.6.

Results

The findings of the study showed that men's traditional behavior and controlling nature are positively associated with the inequality in sexual relationships (p < 0.05, t = 1.838; and p < 0.05, t = 3.750, respectively) and reproductive health (p < 0.05, t = 2.196; and p < 0.05, t = 4.133, respectively). In other words, men who offer stronger endorsement of traditional behavior and control over women report more negative condom attitude and greater priority of men's desire in sexual relationships. In contrast, there was no significant relationship between men's response to family and feminine roles in men with sexual relationships and reproductive health.

Conclusion

Our findings highlight the importance of considering traditional masculinity ideology when considering the role of men in sexual relationships and reproductive health. Our findings suggest gender transformative policies and programs seeking to inspire men for more gender-equitable relationships with their partners.

Factors Influencing Malaysian Men's Perceptions of Gender Equity in Family Planning

INTRODUCTION

Various factors influence men's perceptions regarding gender equity in family planning (FP). Identifying these factors can contribute to a deeper understanding of the roles that men play in family planning and ultimately leads to women's reproductive health outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

This paper aims to investigate factors influencing Malaysian men's perceptions of gender equity in family planning. To achieve this, the effects of sociodemographic characteristics (age, education, and marital status), masculine traits, and attitudes towards domestic violence are investigated.

METHODOLOGY

This is a cross-sectional study undertaken by administrating questionnaires to a sample of 168 men in Malaysia. The data are analyzed by applying partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and by using WarpPLS 6.0.

RESULTS

The results confirmed the significant effects of masculine traits and attitudes supporting domestic violence on perceived gender equity in family planning. In other words, the results showed that men's masculine traits and attitudes supporting domestic violence negatively influenced gender equity in family planning. The hypothesized effects of sociodemographic characteristics on perceived gender equity in family planning could not be verified.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests some practical implications for local authorities to implement interventions that take a gender transformative approach to reduce men's masculine traits and improve their attitudes towards domestic violence to enhance gender equity in family planning.

The theory of masculinity in studies on HIV. A systematic review

This study aimed to describe the methodological characteristics of publications on HIV and masculinity, to identify possible information gaps and determine the main thematic areas. A systematic review was conducted of gender, masculinity, HIV infection and other sexually-transmitted infections in original articles published between 1992 and 2015. Original studies published from Pubmed and Scopus were included. A total of 303 articles were identified, of which 187 were selected. Most of the studies were qualitative and the most widely used technique was the interview. Twenty-nine-point five percent of studies were performed in South Africa, 20.8% in the USA, and 3.2% in Europe. Fifteen percent of the studies were performed in heterosexuals, 12.8% in men who have sex with men, and 60% did not specify the sexual orientation of the population. Eight thematic areas were defined, the most frequent being sexuality and risk behaviours, defined by men's need to demonstrate they were sexually active and a breadwinner. Most studies on HIV and masculinity show a gender bias by not specifying the sexual identity of the population. Studies should consider diversity in sexual and cultural identity in different contexts, including in Europe, to carry out more effective HIV interventions from a masculinity perspective.