MALE CONTRACEPTIVE PERCEPTIONS AND PRACTICES

Abstract

The participation of men in consultations and educational actions aimed at reproductive planning is essential to guarantee sexual health, parental co-responsibility, and gender equality. This study seeks to understand male perceptions and contraceptive practices. This is a descriptive, qualitative study carried out in a maternity hospital in the city of Rio de Janeiro, from February to September 2024. Fifteen cisgender men who accompanied their partners were interviewed. The thematic analysis technique was used. The research was approved by the Research Ethics Committee under CAAE: 77252824.3.0000.5269. Although 100% of the participants are aware of the external condom, whether for contraception or prevention of sexually transmitted infections, adherence to this method is low. IUD, withdrawal, oral and injectable contraceptives, tubal ligation, and vasectomy were also recognized as contraceptive methods. Regarding vasectomy, they raised the issue of it being a definitive method to be performed at a more advanced age, after being certain of how many children they want to have. It was concluded that managing sexuality is still a female role, although men are aware of the methods, they are not willing to use them, maintaining the responsibility for reproduction on their partner. Health actions need to capture, welcome and promote clinical care and health education so that men recognize contraception as a basic health care, sharing with women the responsibility for managing sexuality and reproduction.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56238/sevened2025.021-071