Attitudes of men toward contraception

Abstract

This report describes a pilot study conducted to determine the attitudes of men toward contraception. A questionnaire elicited responses from 436 males regarding: Personal data; contraceptive responsibility; contraceptive knowledge; use of contraception and preference for future methods. Results include attitudes toward contraceptive responsibility, assistance to pregnant partners and knowledge regarding eight common contraceptives. Usage of contraceptives in general and condoms and withdrawal specifically is reported. Preference for eight common contraceptive methods is also presented, along with data on delay of intercourse due to lack of contraceptives, partners' requests for male use of condoms/withdrawal and attitudes toward dissemination of contraceptive material to the public. Also reported are attitudes toward development of new contraceptives, use of male sterility shots or pills and the prices that men would pay for newly developed male contraceptives. The most preferred male contraceptive for future development is reported. It was concluded that the survey form and methodology were valid; that men desired to participate in family regulation; that the majority of men placed a low economic value on male contraceptives and finally that the overwhelming majority of men wanted contraceptive information to be widely disseminated in the public.