Male Contraceptive Methods: Understanding Men and Women’s Views and Related Relationship Dynamics via Nationally Representative Surveys in Six Countries.
Outcomes: Sexual and Reproductive Health
View SourceKey Social Norms Take-aways Gender expectations around contraceptive responsibility are important for introducing new male contraceptive methods. Most men and women supported shared responsibility, communication, and decision-making, but respondents in African countries generally reported less equitable attitudes and lower trust than those in Asian countries. The authors emphasize that regional and cultural differences, alongside concerns about fertility, sexual performance, and sexually transmitted infection risk, should inform tailored programming.
Objectives To examine men’s and women’s attitudes toward novel male contraceptives and the couple relationship dynamics within which these methods may be introduced across six countries with high unmet family planning needs.
Methods Nationally representative cross-sectional surveys were conducted from May 2021 to October 2022 with 12,435 sexually active heterosexual men aged 18–60 and 9,122 female partners in Kenya, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Bangladesh, and Vietnam. Social norms-related measures primarily captured gender attitudes and beliefs rather than perceived social norms. Survey items assessed attitudes about men’s versus women’s contraceptive responsibilities, male contraception, sexual relationships, families, and reproductive health, as well as couple communication, trust, contraceptive decision-making, and desired male involvement. Descriptive statistics and regression analyses were conducted by country.
Results Most respondents supported shared contraceptive responsibility; approximately two-thirds to 90% rejected statements that contraception is solely a woman’s responsibility or that taking a male contraceptive makes someone “less of a man.” Open communication and shared decision-making were common, although trust and equitable attitudes were generally lower in African than Asian settings. Substantial minorities expressed concerns about infertility, sexual performance, and sexually transmitted infection risk, and about one-third of users were dissatisfied with existing male methods. Higher education and income were most consistently associated with more equitable attitudes toward contraceptive responsibility and male contraception.
Conclusions The study suggests relatively favorable contexts for introducing new male contraceptives. Expanding male options could increase contraceptive choice and men’s reproductive health engagement, but programs should account for regional and cultural differences and address persistent concerns and gendered beliefs.
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