Caminade-Pinili, R. R. T. (2015). Male involvement in family planning among Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) families in Dalaguete, Cebu: A paradigm shift (Unpublished master's thesis). Graduate School of Public and Development Management, Development Academy of the Philippines.

Graduate School of Public and Development Management Health Systems and Development Batch 5 Thesis (MPM-HSD)--Development Academy of the Philippines.

Dalaguete is a 1st class municipality in the province of Cebu with a high maternal mortality rate. One of the factors contributing to unintended and high risk pregnancies is the low contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) of 11.6% for the past eight years. There is also an increase in the number of women with unmet need for an effective contraception in the area. The goal of this action plan and project is to increase the number of family planning acceptors by engaging men in family planning programs specifically in harmony with the poverty reduction program, Pantawind Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). This study specifically aimed to discover the perception of fathers who are 4Ps beneficiaries towards family planning, as well as to identify their knowledge, attitudes, and level of involvement in terms of choice family planning method, number of children and birth spacing. Another objective was to identify the actors or stakeholders in addressing the challenges of the family planning program. Lastly, the study is used to recommend interventions that can increase male involvement in family planning. Review of past records and documents were done. Target client lists (TCLs) and summary tables were reviewed to know the baseline number of family planning acceptors and contraceptive prevalence rate. Survey and focus group discussion (FGD) sessions were done among fathers under the 4Ps to assess the perception, knowledge, attitude and level of involvement of men in family planning. FAST analysis was performed to find creative and innovative solutions. Stakeholders analysis was also done to assess the roles of key players in the program. Results showed that men have a positive perception on family planning, particularly in the financial well being of the family, which reflects their roles as providers. They also have good attitude towards family planning are highly involved in decision making. They are quite knowledgeable in some basic family planning methods, the three most commonly mentioned are calendar method, withdrawal and oral contraceptive pills. Out of the possible solutions to the problem of low CPR, IEC campaign extended to husbands or male partners have the greatest impact. Therefore, male involvement in family planning is an innovative strategy to increase the demand for family planning services. Training of health workers on family planning counselling on men was done and family planning sessions involving fathers were started is some barangays in the area. Implementation of the project has started but because of the time element needed for behavioral change especially in a sensitive issue like family planning, there is no data yet on the impact of the program on the number of family planning acceptors. Recommendations for future researchers include impact assessment of the implemented project and expansion to other community settings and to non 4Ps beneficiaries. Integration of family planning initiatives and possible inclusion of family planning into the 4Ps conditionalities is also recommended. This action plan and project provide strategic implications on the way family planning programs in the country are implemented and provide a gender sensitive paradigm as well