Factors Influencing Acceptability of Family Planning among Women in Rural Communities in Ife Central Local Government Area, Osun State, Nigeria

Abstract

Family planning has been proven to save and enhance the lives of women and children. However, sub-Saharan Africans living in rural areas tend to use fewer contraceptives and have more children than their urban counterparts. Moreover, there is gap between awareness and use of modern contraceptive. This study, therefore, investigated the factors that may influence acceptability and consequent use of family planning among rural women in two communities in Ife Central Local Government Area, Osun State, Nigeria. A survey of 400 consenting women was done using a pretested self-administered questionnaire, which included questions on awareness on family planning and factors which are likely to predict its use. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test of association and logistic regression. The age of the respondents was 21.1±9.0 years and there were more Christians (94.2%) than Muslims and other religious groups. A large majority (79.0%) were currently married, with most respondents possessing junior secondary certificate. Almost all (96.4%) respondents had heard about family planning. However, only 20.0% were aware of the place where the services are available in their communities. Most of them (61.5%) noted that they were influenced to use family planning through organisations, which did social marketing of the products. Twenty-one percent respondents opined that their spouses would not approve of the use of family planning. Forty-three percent desired to have at least four children. Factors predictive of uptake of family planning were number of children (HR=1.74, 95% CI 1.15-2.53) and level of education (HR=2. 12, 95% CI 1.43-3.22). A total of 35% of the respondents agreed to accept the method but practice and acceptance of family was very low. Interventions such as reproductive family planning health education, social marketing, awareness and campaign targeting this population must be intensified in order to. derive the maximum benefits of family planning to individuals and the nation, ultimately.