Introduction: Male Responsibility for Reproductive
Health
To serve men better, programs need to reconcile conflicting opinions and views about
men and reproductive health. General goals to consider when designing programs to address
men and reproductive health, within the context of gender equity, are given.
Men's Reproductive Health Risks
Threats to men's fertility and reproductive health include disease, cancer and exposure
to toxins. Also, the status of men's reproductive health plays a critical role in
maintaining the health of women and children. A related article, Male
Circumcision and HIV Risk, reports that studies have reached different conclusions
about whether circumcision affects the risk of HIV infection.
Male Participation in Reproductive Health
Men are more interested in reproductive health than most people think. Recent surveys
and studies seem to contradict popular views about men's participation and involvement in
family planning -- for example, that most men know little about contraception or do not
want their partners to use it. A chart provides details about
15 countries where surveys were performed.
Men Influence Contraceptive Use
Men play important roles in supporting a couple's reproductive health needs. Male
participation often influences the use of contraception, and even satisfaction with the
method chosen. Men also play a crucial role in reducing the risk of infection from
sexually transmitted diseases.
Contraceptive Update: Experimental Male Methods
Inhibit Sperm
A number of intriguing research projects are seeking new modern methods for men. These
prototypes typically involve one of two mechanisms of action -- one aimed at suppressing
sperm production, the other at inhibiting the ability of sperm to fertilize an egg. A chart summarizes the research projects.
Condom Use Increases
Condom marketing campaigns, designed to reduce the spread of AIDS, have increased
condom use dramatically in some developing countries. This social marketing has made
condoms readily accessible and affordable in many places. A related article, Behavior Affects Consistent Use, discusses how consistent condom
use can be achieved by changing behavior patterns. Do Condom
Characteristics Influence Use? reports consumer opinions about specific condom
characteristics, such as condom thickness and size.
Opinion: Reasons to Have Confidence in Condoms
Dr. Erin T. McNeill, FHI research scientist, lists reasons to have confidence in
condoms in an article condensed from FHI's recently published The Latex Condom --
Recent Advances, Future Directions.
Attracting Men to Vasectomy
How much to promote vasectomy, and how much to promote it, may be keys to expanding the
use of this male contraceptive method.
Reproductive Health Programs for Men
Three innovative programs for men are described, from Haiti, Colombia and the United
States. Abandoning Self-defeating Behaviors examines a program
that uses an educational approach called transactional analysis (TA). A Clinic for Her, and One for Him shows how a large
family planning program attracted male clients by offering clinics for men only. Games at Risk for Men at Risk looks at a project for
troubled teenage men that uses games to help them appreciate reproductive health risks.
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