Perception and practice of contraception among male soldiers in Sobi barracks, Ilorin, Nigeria

Abstract

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.

Methodology

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).

Conclusion

The study revealed a high approval and willingness to discuss contraception with their spouses/partners but low contraceptive use.

Introduction

The military population worldwide is a close-knit community whose reproductive pattern is prone to misrepresentation. In Nigeria, the contraceptive and family planning habits of the military population have been controversial with many civilians believing that military men have more children per family than the general population¹. Although no surveys have established the link, prolonged separation from their families tempts military personnel to indulge in multiple sexual relationships; unmindful of the need for contraception and safe sex practice². Soldiers who indulge in high alcohol consumption may have impaired sense of judgement and ability to observe contraceptive and safe sex. In conflict- ridden conditions, soldiers may take undue advantage of their positions to have amorous relationship without any contraceptive measure³.

The centrality of men in reproductive issues and their passive involvement in population and family planning programmes have led to limited demographic impact of population programmes and policies⁴. But in the planning of contraception/family planning programmes, the dominant role of men in the determination of fertility regulation and hence the family size is well established. Men are therefore categorized as “the forgotten 50% of family planning, ready to take part if only asked”⁵. In Nigeria, the National Policy on Population recognises men as a special group that needs to be sensitised on their roles in family life⁶. Since men are the dominant decision-makers within the family and their reproductive preference and motivation influence the decision to reproduce, there is need to know the factors that influence men's desire for more children. More importantly, the active participation of men in fertility regulation is vital since they constitute an appreciable proportion of policy makers, administrators, politicians, religious and community leaders^7,8,9.

There is no doubt that the adverse effects of large family size on individuals, society and national development cannot be over emphasized. Within the military, it is not in doubt that large families could indirectly pose a great challenge to troop's combat readiness and efficiency. Mindful of this, Nigerian Army (NA) commanders at all levels have continuously expressed concern on the need for soldiers to have the number of children they can effectively cater for within the socio-economic status of their families. However, soldier's wives have been the main targets of the family planning intervention strategies with little focus on their husbands who take decisions on family issues. Thus, this survey aimed at determining the perception and practice of contraception among male soldiers with a view to obtaining baseline information and instituting appropriate male-targetted intervention measures.

Methods

Study area

This survey was conducted in Sobi Barracks of the Nigerian Army, Ilorin in North Central Nigeria. With a multi-ethnic/religious setting, the barracks has an approximate population of 1703 soldiers who use a 30-bed Medical Centre. The Medical Centre is adequately staffed to provide preventive (including family planning) and curative services. The centre also conducted weekly integrated health education on maternal and child health. In the various military units within the barracks, the soldiers were engaged in monthly durbars (meetings) and periodic “messing”. These fora provided opportunities of close interaction and information sharing between the soldiers and their commanders. Soldiers as expressed in this study refer to both “the commissioned and non-commissioned officers”. Specifically, commissioned officers are senior ranks while non-commissioned officers are junior.

Sampling

A multistage sampling technique was used to select three hundred and sixty soldiers for this study. This comprised an initial sampling proportionate to sizes of the three army units. Using each units' register as a sampling frame and a calculated sampling ratio, the required sample size in each unit was obtained by systematic sampling technique. The selection of the first respondent in each army unit was by simple random sampling and subsequent selections were based on the calculated sampling ratio for each army unit.

An informed consent was obtained from each of the selected participant. A total of 360 pre-tested interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaires were administered to elicit the respondents' socio-demographic characteristics, perception and use of contraceptives. For the perception assessment, each correct reason given for the meaning of contraception was scored 1. “Full approval” of contraception was scored 2, “somehow approved” was scored 1 and “not approved” scored 0. Each correct reason given for approval of contraception, was scored 1. For contraceptive use, the proportion of respondents currently on contraceptives was determined. Ten research assistants were trained on administration of the questionnaires.

Data collation and analysis

The administered questionnaires were collated, validated and analysed using EPI Info 2002 computer software package. Frequency distribution and cross tabulation was done. Statistical level of significance was set at p< 0.05.

Results

Out of 360 questionnaires administered, 334 (92.8%) were found suitable for statistical analysis. The respondents' age ranged between 18 and 60 years with a mean of 41.4 ± 10.5 years. About 85.3% of the respondents had at least secondary education; Christians constituted slightly over half (53.0%) while 44.6% of the rest were muslims. More than 258 (77.2%) of the total respondents were married while 66 (19.8%) were single. Among the married respondents, 231(89.5%) had a monogamous relationship while 172 (66.7%) married their first wife at less than 30 years old (mean = 27.5± 4.6). About 89.5% of the respondents were Non-Commissioned Officers while the Commissioned Officers constituted 10.1% of the respondents. The demographics of the study population is shown in table 1.

Table 1.

Sociodemographic characteristics of respondents (n=334)

Characteristics	Frequency (%)
Age group (years)
18 – 24	20 (6.0)
25 – 34	73(21.9)
35 – 44	102(30.5)
45 – 54	94(28.1)
≥ 55	45(13.5)
Mean age = 41.4±10.5
Educational Level
Primary	49(14.7)
Secondary	233(69.8)
Post secondary	52(15.5)
Religion
Christianity	177(53.0)
Islam	149(44.6)
Traditionalist	8(2.4)
Marital status
Single	66(19.8)
Married	258(77.2)
Divorced	8(2.4)
Separated	2(0.6)
Type of marriage (n=258)
Monogamy	231(89.5)
Polygamy	27(10.5)
Age at first marriage in years (n=258)
18 –24	65(25.2)
25 –29	107(41.5)
30 –34	59(22.9)
≥ 35	27(10.5)
Mean= 27.5±4.6
Rank
Junior non commissioned officers	196(58.7)
Senior non commissioned officers	103(30.8)
Commissioned officer	35(10.5)

Table 2 shows the perception of contraception by the respondents. On the meaning of contraception, 87(26%) of the total respondents said it was “prevention of pregnancy”; other meanings adduced were abortion (21.9%), sexual abstinence (37.4%) and preventing birth (14.7%). Overall, two hundred and forty six (73.6%) respondents approved of contraception while 88 (26.4%) did not approve of it. Some of the reasons reported for the approval of contraception included promotion of maternal health (86.6%), allows adequate spacing of children (68.9%), enables couples have desired number of children (59.7%), allows sexual intercourse without pregnancy (43.1%) and prevention of sexually transmitted infections (32.1%). Encouragement of sexual promiscuity (55.7%), religious and cultural beliefs (43.2%), fear of the side effects of contraceptives (29.5%) and desire for more children (21.6%) were the reasons adduced for non-approval of contraception. Two hundred and thirty nine (71.6%) respondents approved of discussing contraception with their spouses or partners. The approval of contraception increased with educational qualification but this was not statistically significant (chi square = 2.26; p>0.05). There was a statistically significant relationship between the respondents' educational qualification and use of contraceptives (chi square = 24.00; p <0.05); implying that the more educated, the more the likelihood of using contraceptives.

Table 2.

Respondents perception of contraception

Characteristics	Frequency (%)
Meaning of contraception
Prevention of Pregnancy	87(26.0)
Inducing abortion	73(21.9)
Sexual abstinence	125(37.4)
Preventing birth	49(14.7)
Approval of contraception
Fully approved	219(65.5)
Somehow approved	27(8.1)
Not approved	88(26.4)
Reasons for approval of contraception (n=246) (multiple response)
Promotes the health of mother	213(86.6)
Adequate spacing of children	169(68.9)
Enable couples have desired number of children	147(59.7)
Prevents sexually transmitted diseases	79(32.1)
Allows sexual intercourse without pregnancy	106(43.1)
Reasons for non approval of contraception (n=88) (multiple response)
Promotes wives/partner's sexual promiscuity	43(48.9)
Cultural beliefs	18(20.4)
Religious beliefs	15(17.0)
Side effects of contraceptives	26(29.5)
Desires for more children	71(80.7)
Approval of contraceptive discussion with spouse or partner
Yes	239(71.6)
No	95(28.4)
Currently use any contraceptive method
Yes	41(12.3)
No	293(87.7)

Figure 1 showed that 41 (12.3%) respondents (and their spouses) were on contraceptives during the period of this study. Male condoms (56.1%), periodic abstinence (9.8%) and spermicides (14.6%) were the commonly used methods of contraception. Contraceptive pills (9.8%), intra-uterine device (4.9%) and injectable contraceptives (2.5%) were also reportedly used by their spouses.

Figure 1.

Contraceptive methods used by respondents and their spouses (n =41)

Discussion

Educating military personnel on the need to have a manageable family size within their socio-economic capacity is very vital and this can only be done if the factors that promote or militate against contraception in their setting are identified. In this study, the respondents' age range of 18 to 54 years reflects a sexually active age group that desires contraception/family planning. Of the over three-quarter (77.2%) married respondents, more than two-third (69.2%) had monogamous relationship while the mean age at first marriage was 27.5 years. There was a high approval of contraception and willingness to discuss it with their spouses and partners. The adduced reasons for non-approval of contraception were “encouraging wives/partner's sexual promiscuity, cultural/religious beliefs, fear of the side effects of contraceptives and the desire for more children”. The contraceptive use among the respondents was low (12.3%) and there was a statistically significant relationship between the respondents' educational level and contraceptive use.

Sexual exposure at younger age is often associated with high fecundity and in Akande's study¹⁰, males in North Central Nigeria frequently married early. Although, low educational background and religion were identified factors for this, they may not be applicable to this study population with high educational level and multi-ethnic/cultural setting. Frequent redeployment and perceived high vulnerability to injuries/death from military services (which could necessitate the dire need to have children early) could be the reasons for early marriage among these respondents. The high monogamy could have been influenced by the respondents' religion (since Christianity encourages monogamy) and high educational background; both being important predictive indices of marital union and ultimate influence on contraception and family planning¹¹.

Correct appreciation and interpretation of contraception is essential to the respondent's perception and practice. In this study, about one- quarter (26%) respondents perceived contraception correctly as the “prevention of pregnancy” while about three-quarter (74%) respondents perceived it as either “abortion”, or “sexual abstinence”, or “preventing birth”. This misinterpretation is similar to a previous study where contraception was termed an “anti-child, anti-family and anti-life”¹². Thus, in formulating an intervention strategy for this study population, the emphasis should be on contraception as a means of “preventing pregnancy” rather than it being “abortion” or “anti-child”.

Approval and willingness to advocate contraceptive methods and practice are important perception variables. In this study, almost three-quarter of respondents approved of contraception, corroborating a survey from the Republic of Sudan where over 80% of the respondents' revealed favourable attitudes with husbands willing to support their wives practice of contraception¹³. Promotion of maternal health, adequate child spacing, prevention of sexually transmitted infections and sex without pregnancy were the common reasons for approval of contraception by the respondents. These reasons are similar to those in previous studies^14,15.

In contrast, 88 (26.4%) respondents did not approve of contraception for reasons such as desire for more children, that it encourages sexual promiscuity, religious/cultural beliefs and the fear of the side effects of the contraceptives. Although these similar reasons were reported for non-approval of contraception in some studies^16,17,18, the desire for more children (particularly sons) has been identified as a significant factor in the negative attitude to contraception. In many African societies, males are valued more highly than females and therefore couples tend to aim for the birth and survival of at least a son^19,20. This is particularly pronounced in the traditional societies where sons are needed to maintain the family lineage, assist the family economically and provide parents with social security in old age^21,22,23. This implies that receptivity to contraception and willingness to use contraceptives could be influenced by the number of living sons a couple has. Bearing this in mind, it is necessary to plan and implement strategies that will focus on allaying the fear of contraceptive use, show the advantages of having a manageable family size, gender equality and involvement of religious leaders and military commanders.

In discussing contraception, it is vital to have a better understanding of the fertility decision-making process and the relative influence husbands and wives have over one another. In this study, majority (71.6%) respondents' approved of discussing contraception with their spouses or partners. Previous studies have identified lack of effective couple communication, segregated conjugal role relationship and male-dominated decision-making as significant predictors of non-use of contraception^{24,25,26,27,28}. Also, the impact of social support and spousal communication were identified as important predictors of contraceptive use²⁹.

The prevalence of contraceptive use among the study respondents (and their spouses) was 12.3%. This figure is below Nigeria's current contraceptive prevalence rate of 15.0% (for all methods) but is similar to the finding in Akande et al¹⁰. The low contraceptive use could probably be attributed to the fact that the respondents may not be aware that their wives are using contraceptives since it is not unusual in Nigeria for women to use contraceptives without consent from their husbands¹. Condoms, periodic abstinence and coitus interruptus (withdrawal method) were the most commonly used contraceptive methods among the males. No significant use of the hormonal contraceptives by their spouses/partners was observed. This may be attributed to the fear of the side effects of hormonal contraceptives. This finding corroborates a Ghanaian study, where 50% of the male acceptors preferred condoms, 34% preferred the foam (spermicides) while 11% favoured the pill (for their spouses)^30,31.

Education could have a far-reaching impact on the family life and family size preference of men. Thus this study determined the relationship between the respondents' educational levels, approval of contraception and contraceptive use. The result showed a positive but statistically insignificant relationship between their educational level and approval of contraception [chi square = 2.26, p>0.05]. However, there was a statistically significant relationship between the respondents' educational level and contraceptive use [chi square = 24, p< 0.05] and this finding corroborates previous studies^9,11,25,26. Couple's education contributes to reducing infant and child mortality and therefore reducing fertility; since educated couples no longer feel the need to have additional children as an insurance against child death^31,32,33. The discrepancy between the high approval of contraception and low contraceptive use could be attributed to some sociocultural factors that need to be further researched. However, appropriate intervention strategies that focus on continuous contraception/family planning education, increased gender equality, enhancement of contraceptive uptake by both males and females and involvement of religious leaders and military commanders would facilitate the use of contraceptives among these respondents.

Conclusion

The study showed that male Nigerian soldiers have high approval and willingness to discuss contraception with their spouses and partners but their low contraceptive use did not match this favourable disposition. To bridge this gap, there is need to design appropriate intervention strategies with involvement of religious leaders and military commanders.

Recommendation

It is recommended that a continuous male-targetted contraception programme be established among soldiers.

Table 3.

Approval and current use of contraceptives by educational levels of respondents

Characteristics	Educational Level			Total	p-value
	Primary	Secondary	Tertiary
Approval of contraceptive
Yes	36	176	34	246	X2 = 2.26 p> 0.05
No	13	57	18	88
Current use of contraception
Yes	5	19	17	41	X2= 24 p< 0.05
No	44	214	35	293