Men's Participation in Family Planning Decisions in Kenya

It is generally acknowledged that family planning organizations must focus upon couples not just women. The author presents a model using 1988/89 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey data on 1129 married couples to measure the effects of mens participation upon family planning decisions in Kenya. The model is designed to inform planners policymakers and service providers about the family planning needs and concerns of Kenyan men and the conditions which can motivate them to participate in family planning decisions. Cause-effect linkages which affect the decision to adopt contraception are identified. It is concluded that Kenyan men participate in family planning decisions are interested in planning their families support family planning and use contraception to achieve these goals. The recent transition to lower fertility is probably due at least partly to changes in mens attitudes. Men are playing an essential part in the currently changing perceptions of family planning. The husbands cooperation is essential for consistent and continued use of a family planning method.