Analysis of Family Planning Programmes Among Rural Households in Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study assessed family planning programmes among rural households in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State. Interview schedule was used to elicit information 100 repondents. Multi-stage sampling technique was employed to select fifty (50) couples participating in family planning programmes and fifty (50) couples not participating in family planning from ten (10) towns in the LGA. Data collected were analyzed using percentage and mean statistics. The study revealed that condoms (m=3.55), abstinence (m=3.50); oral contraception (m=3.85) and injections (m=3.65) were the methods available. Rural people were aware of condom (m=3.40), abstinence (m=3.90), and oral contraceptives (m=2.55). Furthermore, the study established that saving for other projects (m=2.55), sufficient use of income (m=2.50) were the effects family planning programme had on the welfare of the people. The challenges family planning programme had were prohibition by custom (m=2.65) religious belief (m=2.97) and inadequate health personnel (m=2.77). The study recommended that more health personnel should be deployed to the rural areas to educate the people on family planning.