Exposure to mass media family planning messages and associated factors among youth men in Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: Family planning programs usually focus information and messaging on women and girls. However, they may not be the primary decision-makers about their own contraceptive choice and utilization. Hence, this study aimed to assess youth men's exposure to family planning messages and associated factors in Ethiopia. METHOD: The study used data for analysis from the 2016 Ethiopian demographic and health survey data set. A total of 7,639 youth men have been included in this analysis. Statistical package for social science version 20 has been used for data analysis. We have used multivariable logistic regression analysis to identify the association of independent variables with the outcome variable. Adjusted odds ratio with 95 % confidence interval was used to declare significant statistical association. RESULT: The mean age of participants was 19.02 years with a standard deviation of ±2.83. The proportion of youths who have exposure to family planning messages was 34.7 % (33.7%, 35.7%). Owning mobile phone (AOR = 1.49, 95% CI: 1.12–1.97, using internet (AOR = 1.90, 95% CI: 1.33–2.73), knowing where to obtain family planning (AOR = 4.28, 95% CI:3.08–5.95), educational status of primary (AOR = 1.98, 95% CI:1.36–2.86) secondary (AOR = 3.01,95% CI:1.94–4.67) and higher (AOR = 6.01,95% CI:3.24–11.16) were the factors associated with the outcome variable. Also, the odds of exposure of youths who agree contraception is women's business was lower (AOR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.35–0.85). CONCLUSION: Only one-third of youths have exposure to family planning messages. Educational status, owning a mobile phone, knowing where to obtain family planning methods, use of the internet, and considering family planning as a women's business were the factors that have an association with the outcome variable. So it is important to improve the education level of youths, to inform youths about different outlets through which family planning messages will be transmitted, and avert youth's misconception towards contraception.