Disengaged and Misinformed: How Male Absenteeism from Health Programs and Alcohol Abuse Undermine Family Planning in Uganda

Abstract

Male involvement is crucial for successful family planning, yet men in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly Uganda, often remain disengaged from reproductive health services, contributing to high rates of unintended pregnancies and maternal mortality. The aim of this study was to explore how male absenteeism and alcohol use influence women’s access to family planning services from the perspective of married women in Rubanda District, Uganda. This qualitative, phenomenological study in Rubanda District, Uganda, explored women’s lived experiences regarding their husbands’ involvement in family planning. Through two focus group discussions (FGDs; total n = 24, segmented by age) with married women, three critical themes emerged: systemic failures to reach men with health education, as information is typically delivered in female-oriented spaces; the destructive impact of alcohol abuse, leading to male disengagement
from family duties and financial neglect; and fear and misinformation regarding family planning methods. The findings highlight that male resistance to contraception is an active process of disengagement reinforced by both systemic gaps and behavioural patterns. We conclude that current family planning messages are not effectively reaching men, and that alcohol abuse further prevents them from acting as responsible partners. Recommendations include creating malecentric outreach programmes, integrating family planning into broader men’s initiatives, and launching “responsible fatherhood” campaigns to foster a more engaged and supportive male role in family planning.