Responding to the unique needs of women: How relevant are partners in family planning counseling?

Research suggesting that male involvement positively affects contraceptive use has spurred interest in a couple-approach to family planning, yet the desirability of this approach is controversial. This paper presents results from research testing couple-focused family planning services. Baseline interviews were conducted with 195 new pill, condom and injectable users recruited from Planned Parenthood clinics in Southern California. Initially, providers felt that male involvement was not a priority for their clients, and might detract from their mission of empowering women. Baseline results revealed another picture. Women report a high degree of couple communication about family planning and male involvement in method selection and use, although women usually have the final say. Most couples make family planning decisions jointly, and partner opinion often influences contraceptive decisions. Over 90% of women reported discussing the clinic visit, partner feelings about contraception and plans in case of method failure with their partner. One quarter of women report that their partners accompany them to services, and 75% report partner assistance in method use. Two-thirds of women state that joint family planning decision-making is very important to them. Bivariate analysis suggests that women who speak Spanish at home, are not university educated and are using condoms are more likely to report partner involvement. Significant associations were also found between unmarried cohabitation, time in union and partner involvement. These findings can encourage providers to tailor family planning counseling to the unique needs of each client, rather than assuming that male involvement is irrelevant to women.