Transforming masculine norms to improve men’s contraceptive acceptance: results from a pilot intervention with men in western Kenya

Men’s adherence to constraining male gender norms can lead them to resist contraceptive use. Very few interventions have attempted to transform masculine norms to encourage greater contraceptive acceptance and gender equality. We designed and evaluated a small-scale community-based intervention targ...

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Main Authors: Sara J. Newmann, Jennifer Monroe Zakaras, Corinne H. Rocca, Phillip Gorrindo, Louisa Ndunyu, Serah Gitome, Mellissa Withers, Elizabeth A. Bukusi, Shari L. Dworkin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2023-12-01
Series:Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters
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Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/26410397.2023.2170084
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author Sara J. Newmann
Jennifer Monroe Zakaras
Corinne H. Rocca
Phillip Gorrindo
Louisa Ndunyu
Serah Gitome
Mellissa Withers
Elizabeth A. Bukusi
Shari L. Dworkin
author_facet Sara J. Newmann
Jennifer Monroe Zakaras
Corinne H. Rocca
Phillip Gorrindo
Louisa Ndunyu
Serah Gitome
Mellissa Withers
Elizabeth A. Bukusi
Shari L. Dworkin
author_sort Sara J. Newmann
collection DOAJ
description Men’s adherence to constraining male gender norms can lead them to resist contraceptive use. Very few interventions have attempted to transform masculine norms to encourage greater contraceptive acceptance and gender equality. We designed and evaluated a small-scale community-based intervention targeting the masculine norms tied to contraceptive resistance among partnered men (N = 150) in two western Kenya communities (intervention vs. control). Pre–post survey data fit to linear and logistic regression models evaluated differences in post-intervention outcomes, accounting for pre-intervention differences. Intervention participation was associated with increases in contraceptive acceptance scores (adjusted coefficient (aβ) 1.04; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.16, 1.91; p = 0.02) and contraceptive knowledge scores (aβ 0.22; 95% CI 0.13, 0.31; p < 0.001) and with contraceptive discussions with one’s partner (adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) 3.96; 95% CI 1.21, 12.94; p = 0.02) and with others (aOR 6.13; 95% CI 2.39, 15.73; p < 0.001). The intervention was not associated with contraceptive behavioural intention or use. Our findings demonstrate the promise of a masculinity-driven intervention on increasing men’s contraceptive acceptance and positive contraceptive involvement. A larger randomised trial is needed to test the effectiveness of the intervention among men as well as among couples.
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spelling doaj-art-4d650acb888e4acc985d72096d93fe6c2025-08-20T02:34:54ZengTaylor & Francis GroupSexual and Reproductive Health Matters2641-03972023-12-0131110.1080/26410397.2023.2170084Transforming masculine norms to improve men’s contraceptive acceptance: results from a pilot intervention with men in western KenyaSara J. Newmann0Jennifer Monroe Zakaras1Corinne H. Rocca2Phillip Gorrindo3Louisa Ndunyu4Serah Gitome5Mellissa Withers6Elizabeth A. Bukusi7Shari L. Dworkin8Professor of Clinical Obstetrics, Gynecology &amp; Reproductive Sciences, Bixby Center for Global Reproductive Health, University of California, 1001 Potrero Avenue, 6D22, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA.Research Associate, Bixby Center for Global Reproductive Health, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USAProfessor, Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health (ANSIRH), Bixby Center for Global Reproductive Health, University of California, San Francisco, Oakland, CA, USAGloCal Fellow, Bixby Center for Global Reproductive Health, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USALecturer, Maseno University, Maseno, KenyaResearch Officer, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, KenyaAssociate Professor, University of Southern California Institute for Global Health, Los Angeles, CA, USAChief Research Officer, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, KenyaDean and Professor, School of Nursing and Health Studies, University of Washington, Bothell, WA, USAMen’s adherence to constraining male gender norms can lead them to resist contraceptive use. Very few interventions have attempted to transform masculine norms to encourage greater contraceptive acceptance and gender equality. We designed and evaluated a small-scale community-based intervention targeting the masculine norms tied to contraceptive resistance among partnered men (N = 150) in two western Kenya communities (intervention vs. control). Pre–post survey data fit to linear and logistic regression models evaluated differences in post-intervention outcomes, accounting for pre-intervention differences. Intervention participation was associated with increases in contraceptive acceptance scores (adjusted coefficient (aβ) 1.04; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.16, 1.91; p = 0.02) and contraceptive knowledge scores (aβ 0.22; 95% CI 0.13, 0.31; p < 0.001) and with contraceptive discussions with one’s partner (adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) 3.96; 95% CI 1.21, 12.94; p = 0.02) and with others (aOR 6.13; 95% CI 2.39, 15.73; p < 0.001). The intervention was not associated with contraceptive behavioural intention or use. Our findings demonstrate the promise of a masculinity-driven intervention on increasing men’s contraceptive acceptance and positive contraceptive involvement. A larger randomised trial is needed to test the effectiveness of the intervention among men as well as among couples.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/26410397.2023.2170084family planningmengender normsmeasurementKenyacontraceptive use
spellingShingle Sara J. Newmann
Jennifer Monroe Zakaras
Corinne H. Rocca
Phillip Gorrindo
Louisa Ndunyu
Serah Gitome
Mellissa Withers
Elizabeth A. Bukusi
Shari L. Dworkin
Transforming masculine norms to improve men’s contraceptive acceptance: results from a pilot intervention with men in western Kenya
Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters
family planning
men
gender norms
measurement
Kenya
contraceptive use
title Transforming masculine norms to improve men’s contraceptive acceptance: results from a pilot intervention with men in western Kenya
title_full Transforming masculine norms to improve men’s contraceptive acceptance: results from a pilot intervention with men in western Kenya
title_fullStr Transforming masculine norms to improve men’s contraceptive acceptance: results from a pilot intervention with men in western Kenya
title_full_unstemmed Transforming masculine norms to improve men’s contraceptive acceptance: results from a pilot intervention with men in western Kenya
title_short Transforming masculine norms to improve men’s contraceptive acceptance: results from a pilot intervention with men in western Kenya
title_sort transforming masculine norms to improve men s contraceptive acceptance results from a pilot intervention with men in western kenya
topic family planning
men
gender norms
measurement
Kenya
contraceptive use
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/26410397.2023.2170084
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