title: Factors associated with male involvement in reproductive care in Bangladesh.
abstract: Men's active involvement in reproductive healthcare has shown to be positively associated with maternal and child health outcomes. Bangladesh has made appreciable progress in its pursuance of maternal mortality related goals in the framework of the MDGs. However, there remains a lot to be accomplished to realise the long-term goals for which active participation of male counterparts in reproductive care is crucial. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to investigate factors associated with male involvement in reproductive health among Bangladeshi men.
  
  
  
  We used data from Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) conducted in 2011. Study participants were 1196 married men, aged between 15 and 69 years and living in both urban and rural households. Level of male involvement (outcome variable) was measured based on the responses on knowledge, awareness and practice regarding reproductive health. Chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression models were performed for data analysis.
  
  
  
  Out of 1196 participants, only 40% were found to be active about partners' reproductive healthcare. Chi-square test showed significant association between active involvement and ever hearing about family planning (FP) in television, learning about FP through community health events, community health workers and poster/billboard. Results from logistic regression analysis revealed that type of residency [p = 0.004, AOR = 0.666, 95% CI = 0.504-0.879], literacy [secondary/higher education- p = 0.006. AOR = 0.579, 95% CI = 0.165-0.509], learning about family planning from Newspaper [p < 0.001. AOR = 1.952, 95% CI = 1.429-2.664], and television [p = 0.017. AOR = 1.514 95% CI = 1.298-1.886], and having been communicated about family planning by community health workers [p = 0.017. AOR = 1.946, 95% CI = 1.129-3.356] were significantly associated with active involvement of men in reproductive health issues.
  
  
  
  Level of male involvement was associated with schooling experience, type of residency and exposure to electronic media. National health policy programs aimed at promoting male involvement in reproductive care should focus on improving knowledge and awareness of reproductive health though community health education programs with a special focus in the rural areas.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine and Health Management, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.
authors.forename: Ghose
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bishwajit
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine and Health Management, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.
authors.forename: Shangfeng
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.affiliation: School of International Development and Global Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6 N5, Canada.
authors.forename: Sanni
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yaya
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6 N5, Canada.
authors.forename: Seydou
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ide
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine and Health Management, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.
authors.forename: Hang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine and Health Management, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.
authors.forename: Manli
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine and Health Management, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.
authors.forename: Zhifei
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: He
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine and Health Management, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Da
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine and Health Management, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China. zcfeng@hust.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Zhanchun
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Feng
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001459:Bangladesh; D003150:Community Health Workers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005193:Family Planning Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D060728:Reproductive Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012736:Sex Education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012747:Sexual Partners; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Bangladesh; Demographic and health survey; Male involvement; Maternal mortality; Reproductive health