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Predictors of Modern Contraceptive Use and Fertility Preferences among Men in Myanmar: Further Analysis of the 2015-16 Demographic and Health Survey (English) 

Document Type

Working Papers

Publication Topic(s)

Family Planning, Fertility and Fertility Preferences, Gender

Country(s)

Myanmar

Language

English

Recommended Citation

Soe, Pa Pa, May Soe Aung, and Myo Moh Moh. 2019. Predictors of Modern Contraceptive Use and Fertility Preferences among Men in Myanmar: Further Analysis of the 2015-16 Demographic and Health Survey. DHS Working Paper No. 155. Rockville, Maryland, USA: ICF.

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Publication Date

July 2019

Publication ID

WP155

Abstract:

A better understanding of the role men play in women’s reproductive health can have a significant impact on women and can improve the effectiveness of family planning programs. Men’s opposition to contraception and men’s fertility preferences can affect women’s unmet need for family planning. While women’s fertility, fertility preferences, and use of reproductive health services are well understood, there is a lack of research on men and reproductive health. Surveys of male populations provide useful information on how men perceive, define, or act out their roles in matters of family planning and fertility. A better understanding of men’s perceptions and preferences can support evidence-based male sexual and reproductive health programs and improve their effectiveness. This report focuses on current use of modern contraception and fertility preferences among men age 15-49 in Myanmar. To study the predictors of current modern contraceptive use and fertility preferences among men, we conducted a secondary data analysis using the 2015-16 Myanmar Demographic and Health Survey. The study population for the use of modern contraception was sexually active men, and for fertility preferences it was currently married men. The results showed that 39% of married men were currently using modern contraception at the time of the survey, and 60% said they would like to have more than two children. The results of multiple logistic regression indicated that men living in the coastal, delta, and plain regions were more likely to use modern contraception compared with men living in the hilly region. Regarding occupation, professional men, clerical manual workers and agricultural workers had higher levels of modern contraceptive use compared with jobless men. Men in the middle household wealth quintile used modern contraception methods more than the poorest quintile. Although the prevalence of modern contraceptive use was higher among men who desired more than two children, it was not a statistically significant factor. Fertility preference for more than two children was higher among men living in the coastal, and plain regions compared with the hilly region. Men with a higher level of education were less likely to want to have more than two children compared with men with no education. These findings suggest that future policies and programs should focus on addressing regional disparities in accessibility and availability of modern contraception by maintaining the quality of family planning services, especially for men in the hilly region and for men without jobs. Future interventions for promoting men’s contraception should be considered to bundle with local job agencies and occupational health services by improving awareness of family planning among men