Perception and practice of contraception among male soldiers in Sobi barracks, Ilorin, Nigeria.
BACKGROUND
There is a popular belief among the general population that Nigerian soldiers tend to have large families but this has not been substantiated with evidence-based research. The Nigerian military health authority implements female-targetted contraception strategies, with less focus on their husbands; who are the dominant fertility determinants.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the perception and practice of contraception among male soldiers of Sobi Cantonment, Ilorin, Nigeria, with a view to instituting male-targeted contraceptive/family planning strategies.


METHODS
A cross-sectional survey of 334 male soldiers using multistage sampling technique and pre-tested interviewer administered questionnaires.


RESULTS
The respondents' approval of contraception (73.6%) and willingness to discuss it with their spouses/partners (71.6%) were high. Fear of wives/partner's sexual promiscuity (55.7%), cultural and religious beliefs (43.2%), fear of the side effects of contraceptives (29.5%) and the desire for more children (21.6%) were reported reasons for the non-approval of contraception. The prevalence of contraceptive use among the respondents was low (12.3%). There was a significant relationship between the respondents' educational level and contraceptive use (p< 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The study revealed a high approval and willingness to discuss contraception with their spouses/partners but low contraceptive use.
Department of Preventive Health, Military Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria.
N A
NA
Hussain
T M
TM
Akande
G K
GK
Osagbemi
S T
ST
Olasupo
K Y
KY
Salawu
E T
ET
Adebayo
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003267:Contraception / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D009549:Nigeria; D055815:Young Adult
Contraception; male; perception; practice; soldiers