We will lose leadership position in the church: Belief systems of indigenous Ugandan men on LARCs

Many women Pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum complications are the primary causes of mortality worldwide. Contraceptives, especially long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs), are the most essential and effective interventions for reducing maternal mortality. LARCs aid in the postponement of pregnancy and allow for longer intervals between deliveries. However, LARC use remains minimal globally and in Uganda due to insufficient male partner support. The aim of this study was to understand the belief systems of rural Ugandan males regarding the use of LARCs by rural women. Using purposive sampling, 65 married men between the ages of 20 and 49 were chosen for focus group interviews, and 30 were chosen for individual interviews. The study was conducted in the districts of Rubanda and Kiboga in Uganda. The researcher employed semi-structured questions in individual and focus group interviews. During the data analysis, the researcher Listened to recordings, perusing field notes and interviews, classifying and categorised the data, and then identifying the phenomenon's emerging themes. The study revealed that rural indigenous Ugandan men had beliefs about their rural wives' use of LARCs, and that these beliefs acted as barriers to use. These belief systems included preference of natural family planning methods, children as a source of labour, children for expanding and strengthening the clan, sex preference for boys for wealth inheritance, dowry wealth, cultural recognition. Specifically, among Catholics and Muslims, the study found that religious beliefs include the dread of losing a leadership position in the church and not to contradict the doctrines of the religion. The study recommends enhancing Social and Behavioural Change Communication, strengthening the service delivery for LARCs, and monitoring and evaluation systems, fostering an environment conducive to the delivery of LARC services, and preparing the pre-service and in-service healthcare professionals through health training institutions and universities to deliver LARC services.