Knowledge, Attitude and Cooperation of Men in Family Planning Programs in Abeyek Rural and Urban Health Centers

Approximately more than half of country populations are men that considering the country’s cultural traditional structure, they have important role in decision making. Inexistence participation of men in family planning programs causes: failure of this programs, increase population growing and related problems. This study were done to compare knowledge, attitude and cooperation of men in family planning programs in rural and urban health centers. This study is a descriptive-comparative study that was done by quota sampling on 400 married men living in Abeyek urban and rural centers. Research instruments was questionnaire including knowledge, attitude and cooperation sections that two parts related to knowledge and attitude were filled by men and cooperation part were completed with interview by women. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, Pierson test, independent T test, K square test and variance analyze test. The results of this study showed that average score of knowledge in city was 7/40 +- 2/37 and in rural area was 6/84 +- 2/29. Comparing average of knowledge total score was showed significant difference(p= 0/017). also average score of attitude in city was 54/68 +- 6/12 and in rural centers was 2/24 +- 6/25, comparing this two averages was showed significant difference (p=0/005).In addition this study showed that total score of cooperation in city was 8+-2/57 and in rural centers was 7/70 +-2/47, there was no significant difference between these averages (p= 0/23).According to findings of this study there was significant relation between knowledge and cooperation (p=0/005, r=0/293) and between attitude and cooperation (p=0/005, r=0/328). Moreover in this study withdrawal method in city and using condom in rural centers were more common methods. Although knowledge and attitude of men about family planning in city is a little more than rural centers, there is no significant difference between their cooperation in family planning in urban and rural centers. As knowledge and attitude are important factors influencing men’s cooperation rate, it seems that other factors can influence this cooperation that is worth to speculation and attention.