Measurement and Conceptualization of Male Involvement in Family Planning: A Bibliometric Analysis of Africa-Based Studies

Tosin Oni, Obafemi Awolowo University
Rebaone Petlele, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
Akanni I. Akinyemi, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife

Male involvement (MaInv) in FP is an exercise of men's sexual and reproductive health rights. However, its measurement has been highly inconsistent in FP studies. We used bibliometric tools to analyse the existing measures of MaInv. We searched for research articles ever published on MaInv in FP from Scopus, Web of Science and PubMed databases. Following screening, a bibliometric analysis of 152 articles was performed in R. Majority (61.2%) measured MaInv through information obtained from women alone. The commonest method of measuring MaInv was through men’s approval for FP. About 31% measured it through men’s input in deciding FP method while 17.8% measured it as men’s attendance at FP clinic/service centre. Measuring MaInv exclusively through the responses obtained from female might be misleading. Men’s approval for FP does not automatically translate to involvement. Other more encompassing measures of involvement, such as co-choosing FP methods and attending FP clinics with partners are recommended.