Unveiling the untold narratives: unraveling rural men’s perspectives on family planning in Pakistan

Despite the emphasis on family planning programs in Pakistan, there remains a persistent knowledge gap regarding the attitudes and perceptions of men toward family planning. The existing body of research predominantly focuses on women’s experiences, with limited attention paid to men’s perspectives, particularly rural ones. This qualitative study, therefore, explores the perception of family planning among rural men in Pakistan. Through in-depth interviews, thematic analysis was conducted on data from a purposive sample of married men in rural villages of Islamabad, considering their knowledge, attitude, practice, and barriers. Moreover, the study applied the Health Belief Model (HBM) to gain a deeper insight into the phenomenon. Findings reveal diverse levels of knowledge, with discussions often constrained by societal taboos. The prevalence of male dominance within this context, combined with the influence of religious beliefs and cultural norms, significantly shaped participants’ attitudes. Furthermore, the study highlights a limited understanding of effective strategies, leading to a predominant reliance on traditional approaches focused primarily on women. Notable barriers include constrained access, affordability issues, and a prevailing preference for male children. It is concluded that strengthening health systems and improving access to quality services in rural areas will be imperative steps in overcoming existing obstacles.