Influence of male targeted short message service on knowledge, nature of attitude and male involvement on uptake of family planning among spouses in Marsabit County, Kenya

Vincent O. Matoke; Eliphas M. Gitonga; Isaac O. Owaka; Geoffrey M. Okari; Michel Mutabazi; Gideon M. Ogutu; Felix B. Odhiambo; Daniel K. Anyika; Ruth Salima; Douglas S. Okenyoru

doi:10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20243274

Authors

Vincent O. Matoke Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Health Sciences, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya; Department of Community Health and Development, Faculty of Science, The Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Nairobi, Kenya https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6159-9841
Eliphas M. Gitonga Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Health Sciences, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya
Isaac O. Owaka Department of Family Medicine, Community Health and Epidemiology, School of Health Sciences, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya
Geoffrey M. Okari Department of Health Management and Informatics, School of Health Sciences, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya
Michel Mutabazi Department of Health Systems Management and Development, School of Public Health, Amref International University, Nairobi, Kenya
Gideon M. Ogutu Department of Community Health and Development, Faculty of Science, The Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Nairobi, Kenya
Felix B. Odhiambo Department of Community Health and Development, Faculty of Science, The Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Nairobi, Kenya
Daniel K. Anyika Department of Community Health and Development, Faculty of Science, The Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Nairobi, Kenya
Ruth Salima Department of Community Health and Development, Faculty of Science, The Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Nairobi, Kenya
Douglas S. Okenyoru Department of Community Health and Development, Faculty of Science, The Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Nairobi, Kenya

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20243274

Keywords:

Attitude, Knowledge, Family planning, Male targeted short message service

Abstract

Background: Family planning services helps the individuals or couples to regulate the number and determine healthy spacing and timing of pregnancies. Globally, contraceptive prevalence stands at 49.0%, Sub-Saharan Africa at 29.0%, Kenya at 56.9% and Marsabit County at 5.6%. Some of the reasons given for low uptake include low knowledge level, negative attitude and lack of male involvement on family planning matters. This study aimed at establishing the influence of male targeted short message service on knowledge, nature of attitude and male involvement on uptake of family planning among spouses in Marsabit County.

Methods: A pre-test and post-test quasi experimental study design was adopted involving randomly selected 220 couples from Laisamis (control group) and Moyale (intervention group) sub-counties. Intervention of male targeted short message service was offered weekly to male spouses from Moyale sub-county. A questionnaire was used to collect data. Data analysis was done using SPSS. All the required ethical and logistical considerations were adhered to accordingly.

Results: Male targeted short message service increased level of knowledge significantly (OR 4.173, p=0.001), changed nature of attitude (OR 2.7335, p=0.004) and male involvement in family planning (OR 4.4306, p=0.001).

Conclusions: The study concluded male targeted SMS intervention increased level of knowledge, attitude changed and males were involved. The County government of Marsabit should engage opinion leaders in family planning to help in educating and changing the attitude of the men towards family planning.

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