CHANGES IN MARRIED MEN’S REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH KNOWLEDGE AND UTILIZATION OF CARE IN THE DEMAND BASED REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH PROJECT IN BANGLADESH

GAZI R.¹, KABIR H.², SAHA N.C.³, JAHAN M.^4
1Centre for Equity and Health Systems, icddr,b, Mohakhali, Dhaka-1212, Bangladesh.
²Centre for Vaccine Sciences, icddr,b, Mohakhali, Dhaka-1212, Bangladesh.
³Centre for Vaccine Sciences, icddr,b, Mohakhali, Dhaka-1212, Bangladesh.
⁴Centre for Equity and Health Systems, icddr,b, Mohakhali, Dhaka-1212, Bangladesh.

Received : 24-11-2013     Accepted : 05-12-2013     Published : 28-12-2013
Volume : 3     Issue : 1       Pages : 21 - 26
Int J Public Health Hum Rights 3.1 (2013):21-26
DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.9735/2277-6052.3.1.21-26

Keywords : Male, family planning, reproductive health, pregnancy complication, maternal health, Bangladesh
Conflict of Interest : None declared

This paper presents part of findings from a large project that provided demand based reproductive health interventions targeting both male and females in three low performing areas of Bangladesh. Married males were recruited and interviewed both in baseline and surveys through systematic random sampling. Under the intervention activities, the behavioral change communication (BCC) materials were revisited and modified according to clients’ needs. Issue based street drama were conducted at local market places to increase awareness. The health service delivery systems in the facilities in project areas were made more accommodative to males through training of service providers. Couple counseling was promoted and couples were rewarded for limiting their families. Peer promoters were established who performed as the linkages between male clients and the service providers. The study found significant changes in men’s reproductive health knowledge and utilization of care at the end of the project; males knowledge improved in terms of pregnancy complications, methods of contraception and prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STI). At end line, significant higher proportion of males obtained care from qualified providers for general health problems and reported STI symptoms. The BCC materials are inadequate to meet needs of males. The study suggested for more accommodative service delivery systems for males. There should be increased communication between providers and males who accompany their wives at facilities. Innovative approaches should be applied providing information to males, for instance, digitization of information targeted to males can be tried through provision of health messages using mobile phones.

[1] UNFPA (1994) International Conference on Population and Development.  
» CrossRef   » Google Scholar   » PubMed   » DOAJ   » CAS   » Scopus  

[2] Pachauri S (2001) J. Indian Med. Assoc., 99(3), 138-141.  
» CrossRef   » Google Scholar   » PubMed   » DOAJ   » CAS   » Scopus  

[3] Blanc A.K. (2001) Stud. Fam. Plann., 32(3), 189-213.  
» CrossRef   » Google Scholar   » PubMed   » DOAJ   » CAS   » Scopus  

[4] Narang H. and Singhal S. (2013) Int. J. Reprod. Contracept. Obstet. Gynecol., 2(3), 388-392.  
» CrossRef   » Google Scholar   » PubMed   » DOAJ   » CAS   » Scopus  

[5] Best K. (1998) Network, 18(3), 7-10.  
» CrossRef   » Google Scholar   » PubMed   » DOAJ   » CAS   » Scopus  

[6] Schuler S., Hashemi S.M. and Jenkins H. (1995) Int. Fam. Plann. Perspect., 21,132-37.  
» CrossRef   » Google Scholar   » PubMed   » DOAJ   » CAS   » Scopus  

[7] Nte A.R., Odu N. and Enyindah C.E. (2009) Niger J. Clin. Pract., 12(3), 306-310.  
» CrossRef   » Google Scholar   » PubMed   » DOAJ   » CAS   » Scopus  

[8] Ringheim K. (1993) Stud. Fam. Plann., 24(2), 87-99.  
» CrossRef   » Google Scholar   » PubMed   » DOAJ   » CAS   » Scopus  

[9] Dunn K.M., Das S. and Das R. (2004) Reprod. Health, 1, 7.  
» CrossRef   » Google Scholar   » PubMed   » DOAJ   » CAS   » Scopus  

[10] Drennan M. (1998) Popul. Reprod. J., (46), 1-35.  
» CrossRef   » Google Scholar   » PubMed   » DOAJ   » CAS   » Scopus  

[11] Clark J., Yount K.M. and Rochat R. (2008) J. Biosocial Sci., 40(6), 814-840.  
» CrossRef   » Google Scholar   » PubMed   » DOAJ   » CAS   » Scopus  

[12] Hawkes S. (1998) Sex Health Exch., 3, 14-15.  
» CrossRef   » Google Scholar   » PubMed   » DOAJ   » CAS   » Scopus  

[13] Mullany B.C., Hindin M.J. and Becker S. (2005) Sci. Med., 61(9), 1993-2006.  
» CrossRef   » Google Scholar   » PubMed   » DOAJ   » CAS   » Scopus  

[14] Mullany B.C., Becker S. and Hindin M.J. (2007) Health Educ. Res., 22(2), 166-176.  
» CrossRef   » Google Scholar   » PubMed   » DOAJ   » CAS   » Scopus  

[15] Mullany B.C., Lakhey B., Shrestha D. and Hindin M.J. (2009) J. Nepal Med. Assoc., 48(173), 28-34.  
» CrossRef   » Google Scholar   » PubMed   » DOAJ   » CAS   » Scopus  

[16] Ghys P.D., Jenkins C. and Pisani E. (2001) AIDS, 15(3), S33-S40.  
» CrossRef   » Google Scholar   » PubMed   » DOAJ   » CAS   » Scopus  

[17] Piot P. and Laga M. (1998) Soc. Prev. Med., 33, 336-339.  
» CrossRef   » Google Scholar   » PubMed   » DOAJ   » CAS   » Scopus  

[18] Family Health International and ICDDR, B. (2006) ICDDR,B, Dhaka, Bangladesh, Author & Expression Ltd.  
» CrossRef   » Google Scholar   » PubMed   » DOAJ   » CAS   » Scopus  

[19] Pearson S. (2003) J. Fam. Plann. Reprod. Health Care, 29(4), 190-194.  
» CrossRef   » Google Scholar   » PubMed   » DOAJ   » CAS   » Scopus  

[20] Sadeghipour R.H.R., Sherafat-Kazemzadeh R., Rezaeie M., Derakhshan M. and Derakhshan M. (2006) East Mediterr. Health J., 12(6), 862-872.  
» CrossRef   » Google Scholar   » PubMed   » DOAJ   » CAS   » Scopus  

[21] Ndong I. and Finger W.R. (1998) Network, 18(3), 4-6.  
» CrossRef   » Google Scholar   » PubMed   » DOAJ   » CAS   » Scopus  

[22] Puri C.P., Balaiah D. and Lyer K.S. (1999) ICMR Bull., 29(6), 59-70.  
» CrossRef   » Google Scholar   » PubMed   » DOAJ   » CAS   » Scopus  

[23] Ladjali M. (1999) Entre Nous Cph Den., (45), 11-12.  
» CrossRef   » Google Scholar   » PubMed   » DOAJ   » CAS   » Scopus  

[24] Kabir H., Gazi R. and Shah N.C. (2013) BMC Reprod. Health, 10(31).  
» CrossRef   » Google Scholar   » PubMed   » DOAJ   » CAS   » Scopus  

[25] Sing K.K., Bloom S.S. and Tsui A.O. (1998) Stud. Fam. Plann., 29(4), 388-399.  
» CrossRef   » Google Scholar   » PubMed   » DOAJ   » CAS   » Scopus  

[26] Kakaire O., Kaye D.K. and Osinde M.O. (2011) Reprod. Health, 8(12), Doi: 10.1186/1742-4755-8-12.  
» CrossRef   » Google Scholar   » PubMed   » DOAJ   » CAS   » Scopus  

[27] Nasreen H.E., Leppard M., Al-Mamun M., Billah M., Mistry S.K., Rahman M. and Nicholls P. (2012) Reprod. Health, 3,9,18.  
» CrossRef   » Google Scholar   » PubMed   » DOAJ   » CAS   » Scopus  

[28] Kamal S.M. and Islam M.A. (2010) Asia Pac. J. Public Health, 22(4), 36-50.  
» CrossRef   » Google Scholar   » PubMed   » DOAJ   » CAS   » Scopus  

[29] Islam M.A., Padmadas S.S., Smith P.W. (2006) J. Fam. Plann. Reprod. Health Care, 32(2),100-103.  
» CrossRef   » Google Scholar   » PubMed   » DOAJ   » CAS   » Scopus  

[30] Oyediran K.A., Ishola G.P. and Feyisetan B.J. (2002) J. Bioso-cial Sci., 34(4), 497-510.  
» CrossRef   » Google Scholar   » PubMed   » DOAJ   » CAS   » Scopus  

[31] Nishtar N.A., Sami N., Faruqi A., Khowaja S. and Al-Hasnain F.(2012) Global J. Health Sci., 5(2), 84-93.  
» CrossRef   » Google Scholar   » PubMed   » DOAJ   » CAS   » Scopus  

[32] Hawkes S. and Hart G. (2000) Trop. Med. Int. Health, 5(7), A37-A44.  
» CrossRef   » Google Scholar   » PubMed   » DOAJ   » CAS   » Scopus  

[33] Hawkes S. (1998) Sex. Health Exch., 3, 14-15.  
» CrossRef   » Google Scholar   » PubMed   » DOAJ   » CAS   » Scopus  

[34] Gazi R., Khan S.I., Haseen F., Sarma H., Islam M.A., Wirtz A.L. and Rahman M. (2009) Int. J. Sex. Health, 21(3), 167-182.  
» CrossRef   » Google Scholar   » PubMed   » DOAJ   » CAS   » Scopus  

[35] Adegun P.T., Adegoke S.A., Solomon O.S. and Ade-Ojo I.P. (2013) Indian J. Public Health, 57(2), 96-99.  
» CrossRef   » Google Scholar   » PubMed   » DOAJ   » CAS   » Scopus  

[36] Ahmed A., Reichenbach L.J. and Alam N. (2012) Sex. Transm. Dis., 39(12), 979-984.  
» CrossRef   » Google Scholar   » PubMed   » DOAJ   » CAS   » Scopus  

[37] Haseen F., Chowdhury F.A.H., Hossain M.E., Huq M., Bhuiyan M.U., Imam H., Rahman D.M.M., Gazi R., Khan S.I., Kelly R., Ahmed J. and Rahman M. (2012) Int. J. STDAIDS, 23(8), 553-559.  
» CrossRef   » Google Scholar   » PubMed   » DOAJ   » CAS   » Scopus  

[38] Rao V.G., Saha K.B., Bhat J., Tiwary B.K. and Abbad A. (2012) J. Biosocial Sci., 44(5), 625-629.  
» CrossRef   » Google Scholar   » PubMed   » DOAJ   » CAS   » Scopus  

[39] Pearson S. and Makadzange P. (2008) Cult. Health Sex., 10(4), 361-376.  
» CrossRef   » Google Scholar   » PubMed   » DOAJ   » CAS   » Scopus  

[40] Stemberg P. and Hubley J. (2004) Health Promot. Int., 19(3), 389-396.  
» CrossRef   » Google Scholar   » PubMed   » DOAJ   » CAS   » Scopus