Male Participation and Sharing of Responsibility in Strengthening Family Planning Activities in Malaysia

Last reviewed: March 2026

Background and Context

Family planning is a fundamental component of reproductive health that has far-reaching implications for maternal and child wellbeing, population health, and socioeconomic development. While historically considered a predominantly female domain, the role of men in family planning has received increasing international recognition since the landmark International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) held in Cairo in 1994 and the Beijing World Women’s Conference in 1995. Both conferences emphasised the shared responsibility of men and women in reproductive health decisions.

In Malaysia, family planning services have been available through the National Population and Family Development Board (NPFDB) since the 1960s. However, the historical orientation of these programmes has largely targeted women, with men often being peripheral to family planning discussions and decision-making processes. This gender imbalance in programme design and delivery has implications for contraceptive uptake, continuation rates, and the overall effectiveness of family planning initiatives.

Published in the Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine in 2010, this study by Rosliza and Majdah represented one of the early Malaysian investigations into the specific dimensions of male involvement in family planning. The research has since become one of the most widely cited MJPHM articles in the international family planning literature, referenced in studies from Ethiopia, Uganda, Bangladesh, Jordan, and numerous other countries grappling with similar challenges of male engagement.

Study Design and Methodology

The researchers conducted a cross-sectional study to assess the extent of male participation across several key domains of family planning decision-making. The study examined men’s involvement in four specific areas: pregnancy planning, future children planning, decision-making regarding family planning methods, and decisions about desired family size. The instrument was adapted from the NPFDB’s national survey framework, modified to capture male-specific perspectives on family planning roles and responsibilities.

Data collection focused on Malaysian men of reproductive age, examining their self-reported involvement in discussions with their spouses across these family planning domains. The analysis explored associations between sociodemographic characteristics and the level of male participation in each domain.

Key Findings and Patterns

The study revealed a nuanced pattern of male involvement that varied substantially across different aspects of family planning. Joint spousal discussion and decision-making were relatively common for broader reproductive goals such as pregnancy planning, future children planning, and desired family size. However, when it came to the specific choice of family planning methods—the more operational and practical aspect of contraception—male involvement dropped considerably, with decisions often being made unilaterally.

This pattern is consistent with research from other developing countries and likely reflects deeply ingrained cultural norms that position contraceptive use as primarily a woman’s responsibility. The dissociation between involvement in “big picture” reproductive decisions and day-to-day contraceptive practice suggests that men may view family planning strategy and family planning implementation as distinct domains, with the latter falling outside their perceived sphere of responsibility.

Sociodemographic Determinants

Analysis of factors associated with greater male participation identified several significant predictors. Older men were more likely to be involved in family planning discussions, possibly reflecting greater marital maturity and more established patterns of spousal communication. Higher income was associated with greater participation, which may relate to broader socioeconomic empowerment and exposure to health information. Educational attainment emerged as a particularly important determinant, with more educated men showing greater involvement across all domains of family planning—a finding consistent with the well-established relationship between education and health literacy.

Interestingly, shorter duration of marriage was also associated with greater male participation. This may reflect generational shifts in gender norms, with younger couples adopting more egalitarian approaches to reproductive decision-making. Alternatively, it may indicate that the novelty of marriage itself prompts more active discussion of family planning issues, with engagement declining over time as couples settle into established patterns.

International Significance and Citations

This article has achieved considerable international impact, being cited in studies examining male involvement in family planning across sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East. The universal relevance of its findings lies in the identification of patterns—such as the disconnect between strategic reproductive planning and operational contraceptive decision-making—that appear to transcend cultural boundaries. The study has been referenced in World Health Organization regional discussions and in systematic reviews of male involvement in reproductive health.

Implications for Malaysian Reproductive Health Policy

The findings have important implications for the design and delivery of family planning services in Malaysia. Programmes that seek to improve contraceptive uptake and continuation rates may benefit from deliberately incorporating male engagement strategies. This could include providing couple-based counselling rather than individual counselling, offering family planning information in settings accessible to men, training healthcare providers to actively involve male partners in contraceptive discussions, and developing communication materials that target men specifically.

The Malaysian health system, with its extensive network of government clinics and community health centres, is well-positioned to implement such approaches. However, doing so requires a deliberate shift from the traditional model of women-centred family planning service delivery to a more inclusive framework that recognises men as essential partners in reproductive health.

Limitations

The study’s limitations include its cross-sectional design, which prevents assessment of how male involvement may change over time within the same couples. The reliance on male self-report may introduce social desirability bias, as men may overstate their involvement in family planning discussions. The study sample was drawn from a specific geographic area, which may limit generalisability to the full diversity of Malaysian society, including East Malaysian populations in Sabah and Sarawak. The relatively small scope of the study means that the nuanced cultural, religious, and ethnic dimensions of male involvement could not be fully explored.

Significance of This Research

Despite these limitations, this study represents a significant contribution to the understanding of male involvement in family planning in Malaysia. Its enduring citation record testifies to the continued relevance of its findings, and it serves as an important baseline against which subsequent research on gender equity in reproductive health decision-making can be measured. As Malaysia continues to evolve socially and demographically, ongoing research into the changing dynamics of male participation in family planning will be essential for ensuring that reproductive health programmes remain responsive to the needs of both women and men.

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