CONTENTS
HIGHLIGHTS
October, 1998 Series J, Number 46 |
The movement to involve men in reproductive health has many names, including men's participation, men's responsibility, male motivation, male involvement, men as partners, and men and reproductive health (61, 84, 110, 262, 265). As yet, there is no consensus about which term best describes the new perspective on men, what these terms mean, and how men can best be involved in reproductive health activities (60, 61, 102, 265). This issue of Population Reports uses the term "men's participation" to describe men's active, positive involvement in achieving good reproductive health. Whatever the term used, the purpose is to describe a complex process of social and behavioral change that is needed for men to play more responsible roles in reproductive health. Men's participation can be seen as a means to an end, rather than as a goal in itself (101). The goal isgood reproductive health for all, and men can help in many different ways to make that a reality. New methods. One aspect of efforts to increase men's participation is the continuing quest for new contraceptive methods for men. It is argued that men do not have enough methods to choose from; if there were more choices, more men would use family planning. The search for safe, acceptable male hormonal methods has continued for more than 20 years (38, 205). Research in recent years has produced some promising results with various hormonal implants and injections as well as possible vaccines (8, 38, 47, 69, 82, 150, 270, 290). Clinical trials of one new hormonal method took place recently in 15 centers in nine countries (105, 290). It will be at least another decade, however, before a hormonal method for men could become available (31, 38, 60, 82, 156). The pace of development currently is slow for several reasons. Men's fertility is more difficult to control than women's because men are fertile all the time. Also, major pharmaceutical companies have been reluctant to invest in research, development, and marketing of new male methods (105, 156). The World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations, the World Bank, and the US Agency for International Development (USAID), with modest resources, have funded much of the research. Finally, men are not demanding new contraceptive methods, as women did in the 1960s (156, 204, 269). New models. Proven men's programs, such as condom social marketing, workplace programs, and male clinics, serve men in many countries (90, 197). Providers seeking to go beyond such programs and to encourage men to adopt more positive roles in reproductive health need new program models. New examples of best practices can help translate the new perspective into action. While a great deal of operations research has been carried out, and pilot programs developed, progress has been slow (59, 83, 132). Evaluations have been difficult, partly because there is no consensus on what indicates improvement or success (59, 263, 295). |