New Game for Ugandan Men Uncovers Behavioral Barriers to Family Planning

By Irene Mirembe, Knowledge management manager, IntraHealth International. ; Susan Tino, Project manager, IntraHealth International Men play Together We Decide during a user test in one of the districts. Photo by Ely McElwee.September 25, 2019Uganda has a high fertility rate and a declining mortality rate, resulting in rapid population growth. This has led to a dependent population that is not conducive to economic production, savings, investment, or development.Uganda also has a high unmet need for family planning— according to the 2016 Uganda Demographic Health Survey, an estimated 28-32% of women do not intend to have more children but are not using any contraception. High teenage pregnancy rates and myths around the use of modern contraceptive methods put the lives of mothers and children at risk.Women who have given birth within two years make up19% of the population and69% have an unmet contraception need.A fresh behavioral science approach engages men in reproductive health matters.In general, there is low male involvement in reproductive health services across the region, even though men greatly influence the lives of mothers and children in Uganda. Most intervention programs target only women. But this is changing with a fresh behavioral science approach that seeks to engage men in reproductive health matters. With funding from the Hewlett Foundation and in partnership withideas42, IntraHealth International conducted a preliminary behavio...
Source: IntraHealth International - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Tags: Family Planning & Reproductive Health Community Engagement World Contraception Day Gender Equality Source Type: news