title: Gender Norms and Family Planning Practices Among Men in Western Jamaica.
abstract: The objective of this study was to identify the association between gender norms and family planning practices among men in Western Jamaica. A cross-sectional survey of 549 men aged 19 to 54 years attending or visiting four government-operated hospitals was conducted in 2011. Logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with taking steps to prevent unwanted pregnancy, intention to have a large family size (three or more children), and fathering children with multiple women. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated from the models. Reduced odds for taking steps to prevent unwanted pregnancy among men with moderate (AOR = 0.5; 95% CI = 0.3-0.8) and high (AOR = 0.3; 95% CI = 0.1-0.6) support for inequitable gender norms was observed. Desiring large family size was associated with moderate (AOR = 2.0; 95% CI = 1.3-2.5) and high (AOR = 2.6; 95% CI = 1.5-4.3) support for macho scores. For men with two or more children (41%), there were increased odds of fathering children with multiple women among those who had moderate (AOR = 2.1; 95% CI = 1.0-4.4) and high (AOR = 2.4; 95% CI = 1.1-5.6) support for masculinity norms. Support for inequitable gender norms was associated with reduced odds of taking steps to prevent unwanted pregnancy, while support for masculinity norms was associated with desiring a large family size and fathering children with multiple women. These findings highlight the importance of including men and gender norms in family planning programs in Jamaica.
authors: University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL, USA.
authors: Melonie M
authors: MM
authors: Walcott
authors: University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Ehiri
authors: University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL, USA.
authors: Mirjam C
authors: MC
authors: Kempf
authors: University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL, USA.
authors: Ellen
authors: E
authors: Funkhouser
authors: University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL, USA.
authors: Marion
authors: M
authors: Bakhoya
authors: Cornwall Regional Hospital, St James, Jamaica.
authors: Maung
authors: M
authors: Aung
authors: University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL, USA.
authors: Kui
authors: K
authors: Zhang
authors: University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL, USA jollyp@uab.edu.
authors: Pauline E
authors: PE
authors: Jolly
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D003268:Contraception Behavior / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005220:Fathers / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007563:Jamaica; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D057228:Masculinity; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011247:Pregnancy; D011275:Pregnancy, Unwanted; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology*; D066262:Social Norms; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: family planning; fathering; gender norms; masculinity; men