Barriers to Male Involvement in Family Planning Services: Health Service Challenges in Musanze District, Northern Rwanda

<i>Background:</i> Male involvement in family planning (FP) is crucial for improving reproductive health outcomes, yet participation remains low in many Sub-Saharan African countries, including Rwanda. This study assessed the level of male involvement and identified health service-related barriers to FP service utilization among men in Musanze District, Northern Rwanda. <i>Methods: </i>A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 397 married men aged 21 and above in Musanze District. Participants were selected using simple random sampling. Data were collected through pre-tested, interview-administered questionnaires. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify health service-related factors associated with male involvement in FP. <i>Results:</i> The overall level of male involvement in FP services was low, at 36.7%. After adjusting for other variables, distance to a health facility was significantly associated with involvement. Men living more than 5 km from an FP service delivery point had 93% lower odds of being highly involved in FP compared to those living within 5 km (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] = 0.071; 95% CI: 0.009-0.579). <i>Conclusion: </i>Male involvement in FP services in Musanze district is low, with geographic distance to facilities being a major health service barrier. Interventions to increase male participation should include strategies to improve physical access to FP services, such as community-based service delivery and mobile clinics.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
American Journal of Health Research
Published
2025-11-26
DOI
https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajhr.20251306.12
Primary Topic
Global Maternal and Child Health
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

Funders

Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Barriers to Male Involvement in Family Planning Services: Health Service Challenges in Musanze District, Northern Rwanda

Clementine Ingabire, Leonard Hakizimana, Helen Ewing, Emmanuel Ndahiro Manirafasha et al.
American Journal of Health Research
Global Maternal and Child Health
article

Barriers to Male Involvement in Family Planning Services: Health Service Challenges in Musanze District, Northern Rwanda

Clementine Ingabire, Leonard Hakizimana, Helen Ewing, Emmanuel Ndahiro Manirafasha, Samuel Niyitegeka, Emmanuel Dushimimana, Marguerite Mukarugwiza
article en

Abstract

<i>Background:</i> Male involvement in family planning (FP) is crucial for improving reproductive health outcomes, yet participation remains low in many Sub-Saharan African countries, including Rwanda. This study assessed the level of male involvement and identified health service-related barriers to FP service utilization among men in Musanze District, Northern Rwanda. <i>Methods: </i>A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 397 married men aged 21 and above in Musanze District. Participants were selected using simple random sampling. Data were collected through pre-tested, interview-administered questionnaires. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify health service-related factors associated with male involvement in FP. <i>Results:</i> The overall level of male involvement in FP services was low, at 36.7%. After adjusting for other variables, distance to a health facility was significantly associated with involvement. Men living more than 5 km from an FP service delivery point had 93% lower odds of being highly involved in FP compared to those living within 5 km (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] = 0.071; 95% CI: 0.009-0.579). <i>Conclusion: </i>Male involvement in FP services in Musanze district is low, with geographic distance to facilities being a major health service barrier. Interventions to increase male participation should include strategies to improve physical access to FP services, such as community-based service delivery and mobile clinics.

American Journal of Health ResearchVol. 13(6)
Schlumberger (British Virgin Islands) (VG), INES-Ruhengeri (RW), University of Global Health Equity (RW)
Mount Kenya University
Openalex Percentile: Top 52%
Global Maternal and Child Health
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.