Involving Men in Reproductive Health: Challenges and Opportunities

Involving Men in Reproductive Health: Challenges and Opportunities
Case study of [specific area]
[student`s name]
[course]
[university]
Involving Men in Reproductive Health: Challenges and Opportunities
Case study of [specific area]
Introduction
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) defines sexual and reproductive health as "a state of complete physical, mental and social well being…not just the absence of disease or infirmity in all matters relating to the reproductive health system and its functions and processes" ADDIN Mendeley Citation{b9e492f9-9911-48a1-ac18-aa8974081bb3} CSL_CITATION { "citationItems" : [ { "id" : "ITEM-1", "itemData" : { "URL" : "/swp/2003/english/ch1/page2.htm", "accessed" : { "date-parts" : [ [ "2011", "12", "10" ] ] }, "author" : [ { "family" : "UNFPA", "given" : "" } ], "container-title" : "State of the World Population 2003: Overview of Adolescent Life", "id" : "ITEM-1", "issued" : { "date-parts" : [ [ "2003" ] ] }, "title" : "Why is reproductive health important?", "type" : "webpage" }, "uris" : [ "/documents/?uuid=b9e492f9-9911-48a1-ac18-aa8974081bb3" ] } ], "mendeley" : { "previouslyFormattedCitation" : "(UNFPA, 2003)" }, "properties" : { "noteIndex" : 0 }, "schema" : "https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json" } (UNFPA, 2003). The 2005 World Summit highlighted the importance of reproductive health when improving access to services designed to meet such needs was included in the Millenium Development Goals framework.
Reproductive health is a human right. It is considered as a component of overall health and plays a huge role in the life cycle of both men and women. Yet, in many modern researches, reproductive health is associated mainly with women because of the risk of pregnancy and the subsequent effects of motherhood in their overall wellbeing. But the role of men in reproductive health is undeniable. Population policy through basic family planning programs cannot achieve their target without enlisting men in the process.
Margaret E. Greene, et. al. ADDIN Mendeley Citation{f24095e0-6a1d-4b38-a897-a1ab97508379} CSL_CITATION { "citationItems" : [ { "id" : "ITEM-1", "itemData" : { "author" : [ { "family" : "Greene", "given" : "Margaret E." }, { "family" : "Mehta", "given" : "Manisha" }, { "family" : "Pulerwitz", "given" : "Julie" }, { "family" : "Wulf", "given" : "Deirdre" }, { "family" : "Bankole", "given" : "Akinrinola" }, { "family" : "Singh", "given" : "Susheela" } ], "id" : "ITEM-1", "issued" : { "date-parts" : [ [ "2005" ] ] }, "title" : "Involving men in reproductive health: contributions to development", "type" : "report" }, "uris" : [ "/documents/?uuid=f24095e0-6a1d-4b38-a897-a1ab97508379" ] } ], "mendeley" : { "manualFormatting" : "(2005)", "previouslyFormattedCitation" : "(Greene et al., 2005)" }, "properties" : { "noteIndex" : 0 }, "schema" : "https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json" } (2005) gives several reasons why it is important to include men in reproductive health. First, family planning programs are no longer focused on avoiding pregnancy, but are also designed to preventing sexually transmitted infections, reduce maternal mortality and treatment of other sexual problems. Second, family planning programs are no longer about the reproductive needs of married women, but they have expanded to deliver services to adolescent boys and girls, and unmarried women. The third, and possibly the most important change is that reproductive health concerns are no longer just about service delivery, but rather on the social relationships that will serve to sustain and constraint new practices.
Men are new clientele for family planning programs because they are the missing 50% of the equation. If gender relations were to be transformed and gender equity is to be maintained, it is important that policy makers understand how reproductive health agenda figures in the broader developmental issues.
This paper seeks to outline the key issues and challenges of involving men in reproductive health. Through the assessment of peer-reviewed articles written on the topic, the author will develop a conceptual framework that will be used to analyze involvement efforts of males. Moreover, the researcher will also create a profile of the men in [specific] in order to determine their health needs, their attitudes, and their practices concerning reproductive health. A second section will utilize structured interviews in order to identify gaps in the knowledge of men`s experiences.
Research Questions
To guide this study, the researcher has formulated the following research questions:
1 What reproductive health programs in [specific area] considers male involvement in its implementation?
2 What aspects of reproductive health are addressed in these programs?
3 What role do men play in the reproductive health policies enumerated above?
4 What are the different reproductive health needs of men?
5 How much of the health needs of men in [specific area] are addressed by the reproductive health programs?
6 How do men in [specific area] rate the performance of reproductive health services in the area?
7 How do men view reproductive health?
8 What reproductive health methods do men practice?
9 What improvements in the reproductive health programs can be made?
Conceptual Framework
"Women point their fingers at men and say, ‘We are willing to use family planning, but these people prevent us from doing so`" ADDIN Mendeley Citation{4b8028ef-56d5-420b-9edd-3717d79e8fc2} CSL_CITATION { "citationItems" : [ { "id" : "ITEM-1", "itemData" : { "URL" : "/press/info/health/menreprights.html", "accessed" : { "date-parts" : [ [ "2011", "12", "8" ] ] }, "author" : [ { "family" : "Womenaid International", "given" : "" } ], "container-title" : "Men and Reproductive Health", "id" : "ITEM-1", "issued" : { "date-parts" : [ [ "2011" ] ] }, "title" : "Are men abnegating their responsibility for a share in the family's reproductive and sexual health care?", "type" : "webpage" }, "uris" : [ "/documents/?uuid=4b8028ef-56d5-420b-9edd-3717d79e8fc2" ] } ], "mendeley" : { "previouslyFormattedCitation" : "(Womenaid International, 2011)" }, "properties" : { "noteIndex" : 0 }, "schema" : "https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json" } (Womenaid International, 2011) is a common lament among couples who undergo family planning counseling. The ADDIN Mendeley Citation{328022e9-f26a-43bd-bfa9-e460b0dbdba5} CSL_CITATION { "citationItems" : [ { "id" : "ITEM-1", "itemData" : { "author" : [ { "family" : "Pan American Health Organization", "given" : "" } ], "id" : "ITEM-1", "issued" : { "date-parts" : [ [ "2002" ] ] }, "publisher-place" : "Washington", "title" : "Involving Men in Sexual and Reproductive Health", "type" : "report" }, "uris" : [ "/documents/?uuid=328022e9-f26a-43bd-bfa9-e460b0dbdba5" ] } ], "mendeley" : { "manualFormatting" : "Pan American Health Organization (2002)", "previouslyFormattedCitation" : "(Pan American Health Organization, 2002)" }, "properties" : { "noteIndex" : 0 }, "schema" : "https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json" } Pan American Health Organization (2002) provides a number of reasons for men`s limited involvement in reproductive health (RH). The first of these factors include gender roles. From childhood, society already has different expectations of men and women. Masculinity and femininity are measured by strict norms that influence reproductive health behavior and attitudes. In relation to gender roles, the second factor is that the number of children a man has is used to measure his virility. Third, in several areas both in the developed and developing world, sexual initiation for men begins early. Sexual intercourse is used to prove that an adolescent is a "real man", hence the act is seen as a "conquest" rather than an opportunity for intimacy. Fourth, there is also a common notion that men know all about sex. In reality however, boys and men know little about sexual and reproductive health and they fail to seek for more information for fear of being tagged as "inexperienced". Lastly, evidence shows that men know about contraceptives but such knowledge does not always translate to consistent use. In sum, it is the hegemonic model of masculinity and the pressure to conform that prevents men from being involved with reproductive health. By "exercising control over women`s behavior, including their fertility" ADDIN Mendeley Citation{328022e9-f26a-43bd-bfa9-e460b0dbdba5} CSL_CITATION { "citationItems" : [ { "id" : "ITEM-1", "itemData" : { "author" : [ { "family" : "Pan American Health Organization", "given" : "" } ], "id" : "ITEM-1", "issued" : { "date-parts" : [ [ "2002" ] ] }, "publisher-place" : "Washington", "title" : "Involving Men in Sexual and Reproductive Health", "type" : "report" }, "uris" : [ "/documents/?uuid=328022e9-f26a-43bd-bfa9-e460b0dbdba5" ] } ], "mendeley" : { "previouslyFormattedCitation" : "(Pan American Health Organization, 2002)" }, "properties" : { "noteIndex" : 0 }, "schema" : "https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json" } (Pan American Health Organization, 2002), men increase or reaffirm their power over women, hence reiterating their masculinity. According to Dr. David Awasum, "In Africa, men are brought up to think that family planning or reproductive health are women`s issues…No wonder they lack information and do not participate actively with their spouses or partners" ADDIN Mendeley Citation{a8ddca92-deb5-40d2-ace9-e206f3909675} CSL_CITATION { "citationItems" : [ { "id" : "ITEM-1", "itemData" : { "author" : [ { "family" : "Robey", "given" : "Bryant" }, { "family" : "Drennan", "given" : "Megan" } ], "container-title" : "Network", "id" : "ITEM-1", "issue" : "3", "issued" : { "date-parts" : [ [ "1998" ] ] }, "title" : "Male participation in reproductive health", "type" : "article-journal", "volume" : "18" }, "uris" : [ "/documents/?uuid=a8ddca92-deb5-40d2-ace9-e206f3909675" ] } ], "mendeley" : { "previouslyFormattedCitation" : "(Robey \u0026#38; Drennan, 1998)" }, "properties" : { "noteIndex" : 0 }, "schema" : "https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json" } (Robey & Drennan, 1998).
"The failure to involve men in sexual and reproductive health (SRH) programs has tremendous impacts on their health, the health of women, and the success of the programs themselves" ADDIN Mendeley Citation{328022e9-f26a-43bd-bfa9-e460b0dbdba5} CSL_CITATION { "citationItems" : [ { "id" : "ITEM-1", "itemData" : { "author" : [ { "family" : "Pan American Health Organization", "given" : "" } ], "id" : "ITEM-1", "issued" : { "date-parts" : [ [ "2002" ] ] }, "publisher-place" : "Washington", "title" : "Involving Men in Sexual and Reproductive Health", "type" : "report" }, "uris" : [ "/documents/?uuid=328022e9-f26a-43bd-bfa9-e460b0dbdba5" ] } ], "mendeley" : { "previouslyFormattedCitation" : "(Pan American Health Organization, 2002)" }, "properties" : { "noteIndex" : 0 }, "schema" : "https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json" } (Pan American Health Organization, 2002). Men have an influential role in sexual and reproductive activity of couples. They have a say on sexual practices, as well as in the decision whether their partners should use contraceptives or not. Moreover, there is also increasing rates of STIs and HIV/AIDS which put men and their partners at risk. Aside from these, men also have distinct RH needs, hence, it is important that men-only RH facilities must be made available. Also, as more women become aware of their reproductive choice, they are increasingly requesting RH program directors to incorporate their partners in the education and service delivery so that women receive support in their decisions.
In "The State of World Population 1997", it was mentioned, "to successfully promote male involvement in the family, concerned leaders, governments, and NGOs must begin by confronting cultural barriers. Meanwhile, in a 1998 release of the Network, a quarterly bulletin from FHI 360, it said that "programs need to reconcile conflicting opinions and views about men and reproductive health" ADDIN Mendeley Citation{e7ce4538-6a31-4125-8802-c88967ea361a} CSL_CITATION { "citationItems" : [ { "id" : "ITEM-1", "itemData" : { "author" : [ { "family" : "Ndong", "given" : "Isaiah" }, { "family" : "Finger", "given" : "William R." } ], "container-title" : "Network", "id" : "ITEM-1", "issue" : "3", "issued" : { "date-parts" : [ [ "1998" ] ] }, "title" : "Male Responsibility for Reproductive Health", "type" : "article-journal", "volume" : "18" }, "uris" : [ "/documents/?uuid=e7ce4538-6a31-4125-8802-c88967ea361a" ] } ], "mendeley" : { "previouslyFormattedCitation" : "(Ndong \u0026#38; Finger, 1998)" }, "properties" : { "noteIndex" : 0 }, "schema" : "https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json" } (Ndong & Finger, 1998). In an attempt to create an RH program that can serve both men and women better, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) created a Gender Working Group which hosted informal discussions on the various approaches which can be used to achieve gender equity. Through these discussions among stakeholders, six general goals were derived: (a) encourage men to support women`s contraceptive choices; (b) increase communication between partners; (c) increase the use of male methods; (d) improve men`s behavior for the prevention of STDs; (d) address men`s own reproductive health needs; (e) encourage men to become more aware of related family issues ADDIN Mendeley...