Impact of men's involvement to promote family planning at the community level in Senegal

BACKGROUND - The 2005 Demographic Health Survey from Senegal found an infant mortality rate (IMR) of 61 per 1000 live births and a fertility rate of 5.3 children per women. The project's baseline found that 50% of deliveries in the program area experienced complications and the contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) among women was 17%. THE PROJECT – Since 2006, Plan International, a child-centered humanitarian organization, is implementing a five year project to improve rural communities' access to health care by expanding the range of health services available at the community level. This study explored the impact of male involvement in family planning to increase the CPR. The pilot study reached 1300 inhabitants of the Mboss community, and targeted 400 men. In addition to strategies focusing on women, messages promoting involvement of men in family planning were advocated to religious leaders, who disseminated them through community members and radio programs held in the communities. RESULTS – After three years of implementation, 60% of women are now being involved in family planning decisions and the CPR exceeds 60%. Male involvement has contributed to all deliveries in the program area occurring without complications and the IMR has fallen to 0 per 1000 live births. CONSEQUENCES – As a result of the pilot, the Ministry of Health plans to implement these strategies across the country. The involvement of men has also led to women's voices now being heard by the government, which is considering women's request for injectable contraceptives at the community level.