Male participation and responsibility in fertility regulation. Research.

Abstract

Women's health advocates have consistently called for men to take more personal responsibility for reproductive health and fertility regulation. The UNDP/UNFPA/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction has carried out several studies on men's needs and preferences with regard to methods of fertility regulation, especially in less-developed countries. Although there were significant intercountry differences, a high percentage of men studied knew at least one method of fertility regulation, most often the condom. On average, some 75% of men approved of the use of family planning, even in developing countries, which is contrary to the commonly held notion that men in these countries are against family planning. It is not clear from the data, however, how many men approve the use of male methods, but in spite of this, the actual use of such methods was very low. Condom use was low even in the countries that are relatively more effected by the AIDS pandemic. Vasectomy use remains negligible in Africa (0.1%) and Latin America (1%), although it was used by 10% of respondents in East Asia.