Factors influencing utilisation of family planning services among female of reproductive age (15-45 years) in Bauchi local government area, Bauchi state

MS, Ekpenyong, AI, Nzute, O, Odejimi and AD, Abdullahi (2018) Factors influencing utilisation of family planning services among female of reproductive age (15-45 years) in Bauchi local government area, Bauchi state. Nursing and Palliative Care, 3 (2).

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Abstract

Background: Family Planning services are preventive health services that provide quality, low cost and easily accessible reproductive health care to women and men during their reproductive years. Family planning is often limited to the use of contraception. However, family planning provides a holistic service that aims to promote a positive view of sexuality and enable people to make informed choices about their sexual and reproductive health and well-being. It also ensures that resources are available for raising a child in significant amount, which include time, finance and social environment at intervals mutually determined by both partners to have their desired number of children. Studies indicates that the utilisation of family planning services in Nigeria is low when compared to high population growth rate in Africa, high fertility that translates into high population growth. Many scholars reported that it is likely that the utilisation of family planning services can alter the population growth rate. Studies have also shown that contraceptive knowledge, and usage is very low in Nigeria, hence the reason for the high fertility and increase population. Aim: There for the study aimed at determining factors influencing the utilisation of family planning services among female of reproductive age (15-45 years) in Bauchi Local Government Area, Bauchi State, Nigeria. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. Hundred questionnaires were distributed to 100 women of reproductive age of which 96 of them were retrieved. Data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Descriptive statistics was used to summarise and organise the data. Pearson’s Chisquare test was used to test for association between variables and level of significant was set at 5% (0.05). Findings: Results from this study show that (84.4%) respondent’s utilisation of family planning services depends on husband’s acceptance of the family planning method. The study also found that cultural acceptance, access to family planning services, schedule of family planning clinic, effectiveness of family planning method and awareness; 75%, 75%, 62.5%, 79.2% and 63.5% respectively all influence utilisation of family planning. Academic attainment and knowledge of family planning methods were significant and influence family planning use. Conclusion: The study showed that family planning used depends on husband’s acceptance of the family planning method. This study also recommends for spouses to be continuously involved in family planning education as their approval influences family planning. It is hoped that the knowledge of this research will help health care givers to provide adequate health education to clients and family in the community to expand their knowledge of family planning services to ensure adequate child spacing and reproductive health. Thus, preventing unintended pregnancies, reduce maternal and child morbidity and mortality rate.