The TRaC PF Hommes program in Haiti was implemented by Population Services International (PSI) in 2010. The program aimed to increase the use of modern contraceptive methods among women of reproductive age by engaging men as partners. The study was conducted in the Nord-Ouest and Grand’Anse departments, targeting men aged 15-49 who were partners of women in the same age group.
The program’s objectives were to provide information to program managers and to follow the evolution of indicators over time. The study aimed to identify and describe the target population in terms of support to be provided to women at risk of unmet contraceptive needs. The methodology involved collecting data from a sample of 410 men partners of women aged 15-49 through a questionnaire.
The questionnaire consisted of four sections: demographic characteristics of the men, antecedents, behaviors, and practices related to contraceptives, determinants of behavior, and exposure to programs. The study used scales to measure determinants of behavior, and percentages were used for indicators of behavior and risk, while scores were used for determinants related to Opportunity, Capacity, and Motivation (OCM).
The analysis of the data revealed that 30.2% of the men declared providing support to their partner using family planning methods. The men had an average of 1.32 children, and only 5.4% had fertility problems. Seventy percent of the men had heard of modern contraceptive methods, and 41.5% had already used a modern method (themselves or their partner). The male condom was the most commonly used method among men without fertility problems (65%).
The study also found that nearly three-quarters of the men had heard of marketing social brands, such as Pilplan (54.5%) or Confiance (55.9%). The determinants related to capacity were relatively low (less than 3), and those related to motivation had reached 3 in some cases. The men interviewed had an average age of 29 years, and 57.8% were under 30 years old. More than 60% of them lived in rural areas, and over 60% had not reached secondary education. However, 57% had access to media.
The study’s findings suggest that men in Haiti are willing to support their partners in using family planning methods, but there are still significant barriers to overcome. The program’s objectives and methodology provide a framework for understanding the needs and behaviors of men in Haiti and for developing effective interventions to increase the use of modern contraceptive methods among women of reproductive age.