Let there be light for increasing use of male contraceptive methods in low performing areas of Bangladesh

Purpose: Bangladesh is an international success story for having eight-fold increase in contraceptive use over the last 3 decades. However, burgeoning population growth and unacceptably low male participation in contraception remain major concerns. The study attempts to identify determinants of male contraceptive use from low-performing regions. Data: Data were collected from 1,601 married males of 18-54 years by using systematic random sampling in 2008. Of them, sample constituted 1,006 males, who used contraceptives in the last year. Methods: Descriptive statistics and logistic regression using SPSS 14.0 were used. Two outcomes of the dependent variable included use and non-use of any male contraceptive method last year. Results: With mean age of 38.18-year and average 3.6-year of schooling, average value of assets was 7.41. Only 9.3% males used contraceptives. Logistic regression analysis indicated that insights on male contraceptives determined their use of contraception after controlling for age, education, location and wealth. Men who knew that vasectomy does not create impotency were twice (OR, 2.08, 95% CI, 1.29-3.36), and who knew about condom use were almost nine times (OR, 8.80, 95% CI, 4.58-16.89) more likely to use contraceptives. Unlike education and location, wealth was no longer significant when contraceptive knowledge variables were added to the model. Recommendations: To reduce enormous gender gap and increase contraceptive use, effective communication strategies are required to dispel misconception in low-performing regions. Programs have long been targeting mostly females; now it's high time to enlighten males, and make them equally responsible for family planning.