Impediments and Perceptions on the Utilization of Family Planning Services in Bauchi State, Nigeria

Abstract

Health system consists of elements involved in healthcare delivery, including family planning services. At community level, health system comprises a set of local actors, relationship and processes engaged in producing, advocating and supporting health in the communities. As a component of health care delivery, family planning is an important aspect of stabilizing population growth and poverty reduction. This study assesses community perception and barriers influencing utilization of family planning services in Bauchi State, Nigeria. The study design was Focus group discussions (FGDs), qualitative in nature and in-depth interview was conducted across the three senatorial zones of Bauchi state. The study utilized Fifteen (15) Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) using women of reproductive age who had at least one child both users and non-users of modern methods of family planning method. The result shows that respondents acknowledge that barriers exist which affects the utilization of family planning,. The result also shows that some respondents oppose the use of modern methods of family planning which hinders its utilization, remedies to the barriers were offer and we conclude that majority of people in the northern Nigeria specifically Bauchi state are yet to wholeheartedly embrace the initiative because of religious and cultural beliefs and educational level of respondents affects the utilization of family planning services. It is recommended that communities should be sensitize on the benefits of family planning throughout Bauchi state, emphasis should be given on educating the health benefits of family planning to mothers