Male Contraceptive Behavior in Rajshahi District of Bangladesh

ABSTRACT This article examines the actual scenario of male involvement either as a user of contraceptive methods or supportive reproductive partners of women on contraceptive use in Rajshahi district of Bangladesh. The analysis shows that, knowledge and use of contraception are low in our study area. Comparative figures of contraceptive practice between men and women found a large disparity. Findings reveal that the user rate of all male contraceptive methods (e.g., condom at 17 percent) is still low compared to that of female methods (pill at 33.8 percent), which shows that men like to impose contra ceptive responsibility on women. Identification of socio-economic and demographic differentials affecting contraceptive behavior of men is performed through the technique of logistic regression. This paper elucidates that education, residence, fertility preference, mass media facility and knowledge about AIDS are the significant factors to influence contraceptive practices among men. Regarding the factors shunning the contraceptive practice we found that men’s opposition to use contraceptive methods is as most significant. The next reason for not using is related to contraceptive method. KEY WORDS: Modern Method, Traditional Method, Fertility, AIDS/STDS