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"Round table" on the results of "Research on the role of men in families and their participation in strengthening reproductive health", conducted by the Institute for Social Research with the support of UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund

Tashkent, April 21, 2017 - The Institute for Social Research under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan, with the assistance of the United Nations Population Fund in Uzbekistan (UNFPA), is holding a round table discussion on the survey "Research on the role of men in families and their participation in strengthening reproductive health" with participation of more than 30 experts in the field of social policy, reproductive health of the population and social well-being.

The Institute of Social Research under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Committee of Women of the Republic of Uzbekistan with financial and technical support of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Uzbekistan in 2016 carried out a sociological survey on "Research of the role of men in families and participation in strengthening reproductive health in Uzbekistan ". The present study was aimed at studying the issues of forming a healthy and strong family, the relationship between men and women in the family, the role of men in family planning and ensuring the health of family members, identifying youth awareness on reproductive health issues, etc. The results of the analysis will make it possible to work out proposals for improving the family Policies, increasing the role of men in the formation of a healthy family and ensuring reproductive health.

The present research is a unique one as it examined the opinions of men related to their role in the family, formation of healthy relationships in families, identification of relationship of men to their own reproductive health, caring for the rest of the family, identifying factors to strengthen family-marriage relations. The ultimate goal of the study was to identify the most significant gaps in the knowledge and practices of men in reproductive health issues and healthy family relationships and to develop scientifically grounded proposals for further raising their awareness.
Some results of the research:
•      The age of marriage for most of the interviewed men is under 25 (71.5%);
•      The ideal number of children, according to respondents, 3-4 children in the family (for 70%);
•      Most of the men interviewed acknowledge importance of family planning, and the most favorable age for women for the birth of children is 21-31 years with an interval of 3 years;
•      Also, the majority of respondents (71%) are involved in deciding on the use of methods of contraception from unwanted pregnancy;
•      Only half of the respondents understand the term "reproductive health";
•      The majority of respondents understand reproductive health is the birth of healthy children;
•      For 65.7% of respondents - reproductive health means "ability to give birth to healthy children", and for 82.4% - "birth of healthy children";
•      60% of men believe that their knowledge about reproductive health is insufficient for a full family life;
•      lack of comprehensive knowledge - 49.5%, knowledge about STIs (sexually transmitted infections) and methods of their prevention and treatment - 28%, contraceptives - 21.5%;
•      81% of men surveyed expressed a high need for knowledge about reproductive health;
•      for many, relatives and friends - 36%, media and the Internet - 32%, as well as medical publications, magazines, booklets, posters - are the main source of information about reproductive health.
 
Based on the results of the study, suggestions were made to improve the situation of reproductive health of men in the field of informational work with the intensification of work in schools, lyceums and colleges, as well as on TV and newspapers. Measures to strengthen family and health institutions, improve the system of regular medical examinations in polyclinics are also reflected in the research proposals. Proposals for strengthening the role of men and their involvement in reproductive health, based on the results of this study, will be used to develop programs aimed at increasing knowledge and role of men in reproductive health.