Spousal Communication, Changes in Partner Attitude, and Contraceptive Use Among the Yorubas of Southwest Nigeria

OBJECTIVE This paper highlights the relevance of spousal communication on males' attitude towards their partners' contraceptive use. DESIGN This was a cross-sectional study. MATERIALS AND METHODS Data for the study were obtained from a survey carried out in three states, Oyo, Osun, and Ondo, mainly inhabited by the Yorubas. RESULTS The results show that men have a significant role to play in the adoption of contraception. About 37% of the respondents reported joint decision making on when to have another child, 40.8% on whether to stop having children, and 44% on what to do to stop childbearing. Communication between a husband and wife on reproductive matters was also recognized as a factor that may influence male participation in family planning. CONCLUSION This study has shown that the male partner may be highly motivated to obtain contraceptives. The results therefore suggest that male involvement in family planning should be encouraged through inter-spousal communication.