Socio-Economic Barriers to Men's Acceptance of Contraceptives: A Study of Mgbidi, Oru West Local Government Area, Imo State

This research examined the socio-economic barriers to men's acceptance of contraceptives in Mgbidi, Oru West L. G. A. in Imo State. The research was guided by three research questions, which include: a) to what extent does the preference for a male child affect the use of contraceptives, b) to what extent does educational attainment affect the use of contraceptives and c) to what extent does income level affect the use of contraceptives. Taro Yamani was adopted in determining the sample size of the study, resulting in 394 men in Mgbidi, and the Bowler's Proportional Allocation Formula was adopted in allocating each village its sample size for easy data collection. The sampling technique was the simple random sampling technique, and a structured questionnaire divided into section one, which is the personal data and section two, which are the main open-ended questions of a total of 28 items, was used in collecting relevant data for the study. These collected data were analysed using simple percentage statistical tables and the chi-square method. The results of the data analysed showed that there is a relationship between the preference for a male child and the use of contraceptives, there is a relationship between educational attainment and the use of contraceptives, and there is a relationship between income level and the use of contraceptives. Recommendations were made by the researcher which include; a) parents teaching their children to regard and value the importance of both gender to the family and society, b) NGOS should collaborate and organize more seminars to educate and encourage men to consider and accept contraceptives, and while at that they should start placing more value on the health of their partners and c) finally health care agencies and NGOS should look into partnering with pharmaceutical companies to negotiate lower prices or develop cost effective contraceptive alternatives so that men can start accepting the use of contraceptives.