“Contraceptive Use Can Also Increase the Love between Husband and Wife”: Male Involvement in Implant Use in Rwanda

Hilary Schwandt, Western Washington University
Sequoia Dearborn, Western Washington University
Marina Koch, Western Washington University
Mya Landback, Western Washington University
Isabella Lowell, Western Washington University
Sandra Mumararungu, University of Rwanda
Sydney Patterson, Western Washington University
Aubree Radtke, Western Washington University
Iris Seiwerath, a student at Western Washington University
Biganette-Evidente Shemeza, INES-Ruhengeri – Institute of Applied Sciences
Nate Tatem, Western Washington University
Ruth Ufitimbabazi, University of Rwanda
Liz Uwera, INES-Ruhengeri – Institute of Applied Sciences
Seth L. Feinberg, Western Washington University

Family planning use in Rwanda increased from 17% to 64% between 2005 and 2020. The most commonly used modern contraceptive method in 2020 was the implant, at 27%. This study is interested in understanding the role of male partners in implant use in Rwanda. Rwandan male partners were mostly supportive of their wife’s implant use. Many couples discuss their family plans together, first deciding on the number of children they want and then making decisions about family planning use to meet those child number and spacing goals. Male partners were motivated to use family planning for financial reasons as well as increased intimacy and caring. Some male partners disapproved of family planning – primarily due to side effects that might interfere with the frequency and pleasure of sex. When males disapproved, some females would use covertly, with the help of providers, sometimes seeking out a thigh insertion to increase the secrecy of implant use. Occasionally male partners would discover covert use and demand implant removal. Ultimately, however, providers described that family planning is a women’s right and decision.

Keywords: Family Planning and Contraception, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Gender Dynamics, Qualitative data/methods/approaches

See extended abstract.