KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES AND CULTURAL PRACTICES: THEIR INFLUENCE ON MALE INVOLVEMENT IN REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH

Abstract

The need to include men in all matters that require joint spousal decisions is crucial in achieving key reproduc

tive health goals. However, men have not been involved as they should and progress to involve them has been

insufficient and uneven. This study aimed to explore the factors that influence male involvement in reproduc

tive health. Data from 220 men, ages 18-70 years old, who were legally married, with at least one child, living

together with their spouses and able to read and write in Tagalog, was collected through purposive sampling

from randomly selected barangays of Silang Cavite and Santa Rosa City. Descriptive-correlational design was

used to analyze the data. The respondents were highly knowledgeable on reproductive health, had a positive

attitude towards reproductive health and each respondent engaged in at least two cultural practices. They had

a high involvement in reproductive health. Knowledge and attitudes had a significant positive relationship to

male involvement in reproductive health. However, there was no significant relationship between culture and

male involvement in reproductive health. There was a significant difference in male involvement in reproduc

tive health when the respondents’ religion, occupation, educational attainment and the wife’s occupation were

considered. However, there was no significant difference in male involvement in reproductive health when age,

family income and length of marriage were considered. Knowledge and attitudes significantly influenced male

involvement in reproductive health