Perception and practice of contraception among male soldiers in Sobi barracks, Ilorin, Nigeria

NA Hussain, TM Akande, GK Osagbemi, ST Olasupo, KY Salawu, ET Adebayo

Abstract

Background: There is a popular belief among the general population that Nigerian soldiers tend to have large families but this has not been substantiated with evidence-based research. The Nigerian military health authority implements femaletargetted contraception strategies, with less focus on their husbands; who are the dominant fertility determinants.

Objective: To determine the perception and practice of contraception among male soldiers of Sobi Cantonment, Ilorin, Nigeria, with a view to instituting male-targeted contraceptive/family planning strategies.

Methodology: A cross-sectional survey of 334 male soldiers using multistage sampling technique and pre-tested interviewer administered questionnaires.

Results: The respondents’ approval of contraception (73.6%) and  willingness to discuss it with their spouses/partners (71.6%) were high.   Fear of wives/partner’s sexual promiscuity (55.7%), cultural and religious beliefs (43.2%), fear of the side effects of contraceptives (29.5%) and the desire for more children (21.6%) were reported reasons for the   non-approval of contraception. The prevalence of contraceptive use among the respondents was low (12.3%). There was a significant relationship between the respondents’ educational level and contraceptive use(p< 0.05).

Conclusion: The study revealed a high approval and willingness to discuss contraception with their spouses/partners but low contraceptive use.

Key words: Contraception, soldiers, male, perception, practice