title: Men's contraceptive practices in France: evidence of male involvement in family planning.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe contraceptive practices of men in a relationship in France, where use of female-controlled methods is predominant, and to explore their involvement in managing contraception within the couple.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data are drawn from a national probability cross-sectional survey on sexual and reproductive health conducted in France in 2010. The study sample comprised 3373 men aged 15-49, 1776 of whom were asked about their current contraceptive practices after they reported that they were fecund and sexually active and did not currently want a child. Analyses were performed with logistic regression models.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Few men aged 15-49 with a partner did not use contraception (3.4%). Most reported using only a female method (71.7%), 20.4% only cooperative methods, such as condoms, withdrawal and the rhythm method and 4.5% both. Among contraceptive users, withdrawal (7.7%) was more likely to be used by men with low incomes or low educational levels. Condom use was reported as a contraceptive method by 18.9% of men. Its prevalence was higher for those in new and noncohabiting relationships (36.1%) and lower for those in cohabiting relationships (12.4%), in which STIs/HIV prevention is less of a concern.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Men's high awareness of contraceptive practices and their use of some cooperative methods reveal their involvement in contraceptive practices within the context of relationships. Condom use is associated with the prevention of STIs/HIV for noncohabiting men, but men who live with their female partner seem to use condoms mainly as a contraceptive method. Withdrawal appears to be associated with low level of education and financial difficulties. Finally, having engendered a pregnancy that was terminated appears to influence men's contraceptive practices.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Studying men's contraceptive practices helps to understand their involvement in contraceptive management within relationships.
authors.affiliation: Gender, Sexuality, Health, CESP Centre for research in Epidemiology and Population Health, U1018, Inserm, F-94807, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France. Electronic address: mireille.le-guen@inserm.fr.
authors.forename: Mireille
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Le Guen
authors.affiliation: Gender, Sexuality, Health, CESP Centre for research in Epidemiology and Population Health, U1018, Inserm, F-94807, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France.
authors.forename: Cécile
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ventola
authors.affiliation: Gender, Sexuality, Health, CESP Centre for research in Epidemiology and Population Health, U1018, Inserm, F-94807, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France.
authors.forename: Aline
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bohet
authors.affiliation: Gender, Sexuality, Health, CESP Centre for research in Epidemiology and Population Health, U1018, Inserm, F-94807, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France; Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Moreau
authors.affiliation: Gender, Sexuality, Health, CESP Centre for research in Epidemiology and Population Health, U1018, Inserm, F-94807, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France; Institut National d'Etudes Démographiques, F-75020, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bajos
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003267:Contraception / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003268:Contraception Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005193:Family Planning Services; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012747:Sexual Partners; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Condom; Contraception; Contraceptive practices; France; Men; Withdrawal