| dc.description.abstract | The study was aimed at assessing the knowledge, attitude and practice of men towards natural family planning, with a view of making recommendations to the government and NGOs involved in the provision of natural family planning services so that they improve in the service delivery, thereby increase method utilization.
Literature reviewed for the study was obtained from studies done in the country, region and other parts of the world. Other relevant literature related to the subject was obtained from books and magazines.
A non-experimental research design was used. The research study was carried out in the Lusaka urban clinics, namely Chelstone, Chainda and Mtendere.
The sample consisted of fifty (50) males systematically selected from the urban clinics, which were conveniently picked.
A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from the subjects. Data was collected between 21st August, 2000 and 1st September,2000.
Data collected was analyzed manually on a data master sheet. Findings have been presented in the form of frequency tables, cross tabulations, bar charts and pie charts.
The study findings revealed that the level of knowledge among men on natural family planning was generally low, for example (39), 78% of the respondents were not knowledgeable about natural family planning.
Knowledge is a precondition for higher utilisation of any given service, NFP inclusive.
The men's attitude towards natural family planning was positive for instance, 82% had positive attitude and only 18% had negative attitude. Of those with negative attitude, 12% had attained college or university. The level of education in this case seems to have an influence on attitude, the higher the educational attainment, the more negative one becomes.
The study revealed that use of natural family planning among men was low, for example 60% of the respondents were not using the method, only 40% of the respondents were using the method, and of the 40% respondents who were using NFP, only 12% were knowledgeable about the method. Practice seemed to be influenced by knowledge one has about the method.
The findings of the study also revealed that 74 % of the respondents expressed desire for natural family planning services to be made available at their working places.
The following recommendations have been suggested: The policy makers at Ministry of Health and Family Life Movement of Zambia should establish family planning services for men in working places and that there is need for Ministry of Education to incorporate fertility awareness in the curriculum at secondary school level so that male children are aware of the family planning methods available, natural family planning inclusive. | en_US |
