Enhancing Public Participation Through Strategic Vasectomy Program Management in Riau

Abstract

Male involvement in family planning remains critically low in Indonesia, particularly in conservative regions such as Riau Province. This study explores how strategic program management—through the lens of the POAC (Planning, Organizing, Actuating, and Controlling) framework—affects public participation in vasectomy services. Drawing from qualitative fieldwork, in-depth interviews, and document analysis, the research reveals that institutional planning is disconnected from the socio-cultural realities of the target population. Organizational fragmentation, lack of human resource capacity, and insufficient coordination between stakeholders further weaken program delivery. Actuation efforts are hindered by ineffective outreach strategies that fail to resonate with men, reinforcing widespread misconceptions about vasectomy. Additionally, the controlling function is reduced to bureaucratic data reporting, without adaptive learning mechanisms to recalibrate program strategies based on community feedback. Sociocultural barriers—such as gendered perceptions of masculinity, religious ambiguity, and entrenched misinformation—compound these structural weaknesses. The study argues that increasing male participation in vasectomy requires a paradigm shift from technocratic planning toward a participatory, culturally grounded model of reproductive governance. This includes involving religious leaders, male role models, and community stakeholders in message development and service delivery. By reimagining vasectomy not merely as a clinical procedure but as a symbol of shared reproductive responsibility, the program can achieve broader legitimacy and effectiveness. The findings offer valuable insights for policymakers, public health managers, and development practitioners seeking to enhance equity and inclusion in reproductive health programs.