Predictors of modern contraceptive use and fertility preferences among men in Myanmar: further analysis of the 2015-16 demographic and health survey

ABSTRACT

Background: Men’s opposition to contraception and men’s fertility preferences can affect women’s unmet need for family planning. In Myanmar, there is limited research on men's reproductive health while women’s fertility, fertility preferences, and use of reproductive health services were well understood. A better understanding of men’s perceptions and preferences can support evidence-based male sexual and reproductive health programs and improve their effectiveness. This study focused on predictors of modern contraceptive use and fertility preferences among men age 15-49 years in Myanmar.Methods: A secondary data analysis was conducted using the 2015-16 Myanmar Demographic and Health Survey. Among 4,737 men age 15-49 years in the selected households, 3,248 men who ever had sex and 2,831 currently married men were selected as the sample for contraceptive use and fertility preferences respectively. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used with two separate models.Results: Among men who ever had sex, 39% were currently using modern contraception and 60% married men said they would like to have more than two children. Men from the coastal, and plain regions were more likely to use modern contraception and had higher fertility preferences compared with men living in the hilly region. The working men had higher levels of modern contraceptive use than jobless men and men from middle wealth index were significant current contraceptive users.Conclusions: The geographic region was a predictor of both current contraceptive use and fertility preferences, while occupation showed a significant correlation with contraceptive use.