To enhance the reproductive health status of couples in developing countrie
s, the knowledge, attitudes, and behavior of both women and men must be inv
estigated, especially where women depend on men for the decision to seek ca
re. This study analyzes data from a survey of 6,727 husbands from five dist
ricts in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India. Data are presented on
men's knowledge of women's health and on their own sexual behavior outside
the context of marriage, on their perceptions of sexual morbidity and their
attempts at treatment for specific conditions, and on their opinions conce
rning the social role of wives. Findings indicate that men know little abou
t maternal morbidity or sexual morbidity conditions. Fao husbands reported
that they had had sexual experience outside of marriage and the majority of
these few said they had had such a relationship with more than one partner
. Of men who said they had had reproductive morbidity symptoms, many said t
hey had not sought treatment. Men's views concerning the role of wives indi
cate a low level of women's autonomy in this region of India. Results indic
ate a pressing need for reproductive health education that targets both wom
en and men in Uttar Pradesh.