Masculinity and access to reproductive health services in men in Peru

Abstract

Objective: To determine the relationship between masculinity and access to reproductive health services among men in Peru. Method: This was a quantitative, non-experimental study with a descriptive, cross-sectional relational design. The research was conducted between March and May 2024 in the rural district of San Jacinto, Tumbes Region. Structured anonymous questionnaires were administered to a probabilistic stratified sample of 337 men aged 18 to 49 years. Inclusion criteria were male residents of San Jacinto between 18 and 49 years of age who voluntarily agreed to participate and signed the informed consent form. Exclusion criteria included cognitive or communication difficulties that prevented proper completion of the questionnaire as well as individuals temporarily residing in the area. Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed using SPSS® v.23. Results: Most participants (86.6%; n = 292) exhibited negative masculinity, while only 13.4% (n = 45) demonstrated positive masculinity. Regarding access to health services, a significant proportion (83.7%; n = 282) had not received sexual and reproductive health care in the past six months, whereas only 16.3% (n = 55) had accessed such services. Conclusion: No statistically significant relationship was found between masculinity and access to primary sexual and reproductive health services among rural men in Tumbes.