Factors Affecting the Uptake of Family Planning Services in Rural Communities: A Case Study Of Uturu in Isuikwuato LGA, Abia State.
Abstract
This study was on Factors Affecting the Uptake of Family Planning Services in Rural Communities: A Case Study of Uturu in Isuikwuato LGA, Abia State The total population for the study is 200 selected residents in uturu, Isuikwuato LGA, Abia State. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study. A total of 133 respondents made married men, married women, civil servants and youths were used for the study. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies
Chapter one
Introduction
1.1Background of the study
Family planning is widely acknowledged as an important intervention towards achieving Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) four (4) and five (5) as it has proven to reduce maternal and child mortality. Family planning can prevent unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortions. Some family planning methods such as condom usage can protect individuals from Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) including HIV/AIDS. Family planning has also been found to promote gender equality as well as promote educational and economic empowerment for women. Despite the enormous benefits of family planning services, the uptake of the service still remains low in Sub-Saharan Africa. This has resulted into high rates of unwanted pregnancies, unplanned deliveries, unsafe abortions and maternal mortalities in Sub-Saharan Africa of which Nigeria is no exception. The low uptake of family planning is largely blamed on many factors. It has been observed that the awareness of the availability of family planning services has a great influence on the uptake of family planning services. Additionally, even though some women are aware of the availability of family planning services, they are not properly informed about the various forms of family planning methods and how they work. Some of the women who went for family planning services were not adequately counselled on the side effects of some of the family planning methods. For example, in Uganda, some women stopped using contraceptives after they experienced what they perceived were side effects of the contraceptives.
Although most people are aware of the benefits of family planning services, they complained that it was difficult to access family planning services as such services were provided by health facilities that were far from their homes. In addition, religious inclination has been noted to be a major constrain to the uptake of family planning services in Africa. Also, some individuals perceived that family planning services were meant for only married couples whilst others fear that they will become sexually promiscuous if they go for family planning services once they cannot become pregnant. In Nigeria, some efforts have been made by the government of Nigeria and non-governmental organizations through the implementation of various programmes to improve the coverage of family planning services in the country. Although some successes have been chucked in the area of awareness of family planning services in the country, the unmet need for family planning still remains high. The Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS) observed that a large number of women have an unmet need for family planning as the acceptor rate for family planning services remains low. It is on this note the Nigeria Health Service argues that the lives of mothers and children will be improved and maternal mortality reduced if family planning acceptor rate is improved.
Statement of the problem
Despite the provision of free family planning services, the Isuikwuato LGA, Abia State, especially uturu reported 19% family planning acceptor rate low, which is currently below the Nigeria Health Service national family planning acceptor target rate of 23.3%. The regional annual health report showed an increase in teenage pregnancies as well as unsafe abortions in the Isuikwuato LGA, Abia State. Three maternal deaths were recorded in the Isuikwuato LGA, Abia State in 2011 as a result of unsafe abortions. The increase in teenage pregnancies and unsafe abortions as well as the maternal mortalities that occurred could have been prevented if uptake of family planning services were improved. The decision to investigate the factors that influence the uptake of family planning services in the Isuikwuato LGA, Abia State is imperative as very little is known about the factors that influence the decision of people to go for family planning services
Objective of the study
The objectives of the study are;
- To ascertain the factor affecting the uptake of family planning services in rural communities
- To find out if inadequate information can lead to family planning
- To find out whether increase in teenage pregnancies and unsafe abortions as well as the maternal mortalities that occurred could have been prevented if uptake of family planning services were improved
- To find out whether there is free family planning in uturu, Isuikwuato LGA, Abia State
Research hypotheses
For the successful completion of the study, the following research hypotheses were formulated by the researcher;
H0: there is no factor affecting the uptake of family planning services in rural communities.
H1: there is factor affecting the uptake of family planning services in rural communities.
H02: increase in teenage pregnancies and unsafe abortions as well as the maternal mortalities that occurred could not have been prevented if uptake of family planning services were improved.
H2: increase in teenage pregnancies and unsafe abortions as well as the maternal mortalities that occurred could have been prevented if uptake of family planning services were improved
Significance of the study
The study will be very significant to students, family and policy makers. The study will give a clear insight on the Factors Affecting the Uptake of Family Planning Services in Rural Communities. The investigation will also serve as an eye opener to the government in providing adequate basic facilities, and finally, researchers in the field of population statistics, growth and control will find the findings of this study very useful.
Scope and limitation of the study
The scope of the study covers Factors Affecting the Uptake of Family Planning Services in Rural Communities: A Case Study Of Uturu in Isuikwuato LGA, Abia State.
Financial constraint– Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
Time constraint– The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.
- a) AVAILABILITY OF RESEARCH MATERIAL: The research material available to the researcher is insufficient, thereby limiting the study
1.9 Definition of terms
Planning: Refers to measures that could be adopted in regulating occurrence of birth
Child Spacing: Giving birth to child giving enough space.
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