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HIGHLIGHTS
October, 1998 Series J, Number 46 |
New Survey Findings About Men New surveys of men show that many know and approve of family planning—in marked contrast to the stereotype of men as uncooperative and uninterested in family planning or reproductive health (76, 207, 213). While many men use contraception or support their partners' use of it, survey results suggest that most men need more family planning information, education, and services. Almost all Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) of men have been conducted in Africa. Thus findings are not representative of men everywhere. Other, smaller studies come from other regions. In the DHS most information is about family planning, but some data cover other reproductive health issues, such as HIV/AIDS. Data from DHS of men are available for 29 countries, with more than one survey in 8 of them. Alex Ezeh and colleagues have analyzed DHS findings from 17 surveys of men in 15 countries (76). Also, Population Reports has analyzed data from 11 other DHS of men (see sidebar, Evolving Information About Men). These analyses, totalling 28 surveys in 21 countries, are the basis for the DHS findings reported here. In addition, DHS of men have been conducted in nine other countries, but data were not available for this report. Information about young men comes from the Young Adult Reproductive Health Surveys (YARHS), conducted between 1985 and 1997 by in-country institutions with support from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These surveys have taken place in cities of eight Latin American and Caribbean countries and also in Romania. They explore young men's and women's sexual knowledge and behavior, providing valuable information about this under-served group. |