Abstract:
The objective of this study was to assess the current level of knowledge, favourable
opinions, and participation among married, employed males in the areas of household
chores (HHC), contraception and child bearing. The study revealed that the knowledge,
opinion and participation mean scores are low in the area of contraception while it is high in
the area of child rearing. In HHC, opinion and participation mean scores are low, though
they have a satisfactory level of knowledge. This study further assessed how certain sociodemographic characteristics of men, influence male participation. It was revealed that the
extent of male participation in the area of HHC significantly vary according to the
proportion of financial contribution to the family (P 05) and the wife's employment status (P
05). In the area of contraception the extent of male participation significantly vary only
according to the duration of marriage (P 05), whereas male participation in child bearing
significantly differ with the education of the husband (p. 01), proportion of financial
contribution by the husband (p 01), family type (P 05) and with the wife's employment
status (P 01). There was a significant correlation between knowledge and opinions in all
three areas (P. 001) . Opinions and participation also showed a significant correlation in the
areas of HHC (P.00l) and contraception (P.05), however it is not found with child bearing .
Knowledge and participation also showed a significant correlation only in the area of FP
(P.05). The educational intervention was carried out in all three areas namely l-IHC,
contraception and child rearing using mainly lecture discussions. It can be concluded, that
the IEC package used in this study is effective in improving knowledge, opinions in all three
areas and participation in the area of HHC among the working class of Sinhalese men, with
an educational level above the primary school and below the degree qualification, when it is
delivered by PHII after an intensive training and proper monitoring of the program
