Abstract

The study was conducted at Kalagala Health Centre IV and aimed at establishing the level of
effectiveness of contraceptive use by men, factors influencing their access and use of family
planning and the strategies that can be used to increase their level of participation in family
planning services as the study objectives. The major problem was the low level or lack of
men’s participation in family planning in Kalagala health centre IV. The study objectives
were; (1) to investigate the level of effectiveness of contraceptive use by men in Uganda, (2)
to determine the factors that influence men’s participation in accessing and using family
planning services in Uganda and (3) to investigate the strategies for improving men
participation of men in family planning services in Uganda. A case study of Kalagala Health
Center IV-Luwero District. In terms of the attitude and perception towards family planning
use by men, the study revealed that the majority of men perceived that modern family
planning was always available in the community and people can afford to buy it. Similarly,
in terms of perception about the quality of services offered at Kalagala health centre, it was
reported that the quality of services is of high quality. In addition, it was revealed by the
study that the majority of men believe that the use of modern family planning can result in
infertility however they were quick to report that IUDs cannot result in cancer. There was no
embarrassment reported for use of the family services and the majority of respondents noted
that it is okay for a woman/girl to suggest her male partner to use a condom or another
method to avoid pregnancy. According to the findings of the study, the major factors that
encourage men’s use of family planning services at Kalagala health centre include; a
reduction in infant mortality rate, adequate sensitization, availability of services, presence
of trained health workers and affordability of the services. However, it was reported that the
lack of strong policies, inadequate counselling sessions organised to support contraceptive
use at Kalagala Health Centre IV and the dominance of females as health care providers are
the major factors limiting men’s participation in family planning.
The study recommends that Kalagala health centre IV should work together with the
development partners (public and private) and donors to improve men’s education, conduct
mass media campaigns to create awareness and establish clinic-based interventions and
provide health counselling and education to couples rather than just women because they
are proved to be important strategies for increasing male involvement in family planning in
Kalagala