October 2003

"Although men around the world make considerable efforts to protect their own and their partners' sexual and reproductive health, the majority - particularly in developing countries - are in need of vital information and services to prevent unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV."

The report, "In Their Own Right: Addressing the Sexual and Reproductive Health Needs of Men Worldwide", aims to be a comprehensive resource on men's sexual and reproductive behaviour and needs, encompassing men aged 15-54 in 45 developing and developed countries from sexual initiation through marriage and parenthood. The report is based on data from nationally representative surveys conducted between the mid-1990s and 2001, as well as on a growing body of qualitative studies of men's attitudes, values and behaviour in regard to sexual and reproductive health.

According to this report from Guttmacher Institute, "the findings indicate that sexual and intimate relationships and a stable family life are important parts of men's lives worldwide. Most men have only one sexual partner in a given year, nearly all marry and have children, and many have discussed family planning with their partners and practice contraception to space or limit births. In addition, many men who have an STI act to protect their partners by informing them of the infection, by avoiding intercourse while they are infected or by taking medication."

Table of Contents

• Executive Summary
• Chapter 1: Why Focus on Men?
• Chapter 2: Factors That Shape Men's Sexual and Reproductive Lives
• Chapter 3: Men 15–24 - Becoming Independent and Initiating Sexual Relationships
• Chapter 4: Men 25–39 - Marrying and Becoming Fathers
• Chapter 5: Men 40–54 - Approaching the End of Fathering
• Chapter 6: Sexually Transmitted Infections and Condom Use
• Chapter 7: Sexual and Reproductive Health Information and Services for Men
• Chapter 8: Summing Up
• Appendix Tables
• References and Notes

Click here to purchase the report or download the free copy in PDF format [950 KB].

74