Potential role of male community-based distributors in a family-planning programme in western Uganda: results of a pilot study.

The aim of this pilot study was to determine the differences in family-planning knowledge and compliance with programme guidelines among male and female community-based distributors (CBDs) of contraceptives in Kabarole district, Uganda. A semi-structured questionnaire was used for interviewing 70 CBDs. Results of interviews showed that the knowledge and compliance scores were not significantly associated with gender and age. The female clients of male CBDs were more likely to discuss family planning with their partners, and the female CBDs included other health topics more in their family-planning counselling. Both male and female CBDs had equal knowledge about family planning and equally complied with the established programme protocols. The male CBDs enhanced communication about family planning between spouses. If this could be confirmed, gender should be considered in the recruitment of new CBDs. The results suggest that male CBDs may have a unique role in promoting family planning effectively and in enhancing communication between spouses about family planning.