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.