Exploring experiences regarding contraception practices among married men in a rural area of West Bengal: A qualitative study

Objective: To explore the experiences of contraceptive use, reasons for discontinuation, and future intent to use modern contraceptives among married men in West Bengal, India. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional qualitative study was conducted among married men ( n =10), aged 18 to 50 years by in-depth face-to-face interviews using a predesigned interview guide. The results were transcribed, coded and analysed recognising major themes. Results: The study identified the following themes as a rationale for men’s limited involvement in contraception: insufficient knowledge and education about contraception, cultural and religious barriers, misconceptions, economic hardships, gender-based disparities, and a shortage of male healthcare workers, along with a reluctance to seek help. Limited overall awareness about the specific role of men in reproductive health was also believed to hinder men’s meaningful involvement in fertility regulation issues. Conclusions: Several challenges are identified among married males related to effective contraception use and the findings emphasize the importance of comprehensive education, culturally sensitive strategies, and improving access and affordability of contraceptives to overcome such barriers. These steps are essential for enabling informed reproductive health decisions and improving reproductive health outcomes.