Family Planning Among the Educated Women in Northeastern Nigeria;

Abstract

Family planning is the decision of a couple to either delay child birth or limit childbirth through the use of contraceptives (NDHS, 2013). It has significant impact on the health of mothers and children, and it reduces cases of complication associated with pregnancy and child birth. Nigeria continues to record very slow progress in CYP and CPR; this can be connected to the very high level of myths and misconceptions associated to it. Researchers, FP programmers, governments’ health ministries and agencies have continued to pay more attention to rural based and mostly uneducated women. Ignorance of married women with post secondary qualification mostly living in urban areas could be the reason for slow progress in family planning success in Nigeria. This study was conducted on family planning among 150 married women with academic qualifications ranging from NCE to PhDs in Gombe to know how well they know and use, and what are their views on, modern family planning methods. Findings show that married and educated women in the north east have a fairly good perception with majority having positive views about modern family planning; however, a significant percentage have negative perceptions. For instance, 41% believe that FP is a strategy deliberately orchestrated to reduce population; 33% believe that modern FP is strictly for women, 17% believe that it makes women promiscuous, 22% do not trust modern FP effectiveness. Moreover, a significant percentage of respondents do not have an opinion yet; they neither agrees not disagree. Knowledge of modern family planning methods is neither high nor low among the respondents; natural methods that doesn’t count in CPR are more popular, e.g, use of safe period has 75%, prolonged breastfeeding, 69% and abstinence 68%. Spermicidal gel, vasectomy, diaphragm, temperature, tubal ligation, female condom and IUDs have significantly low rate of awareness ranging from 37% to 16%. Again, natural methods which have no impact on CYP have the highest rates usage; safe period recorded the highest level of usage with 59%; next to it are abstinence and withdrawal methods with 43% each. Pills prolong breast feeding, implants, injectable, IUD, female condoms, temperature, diaphragm, spermicidal gel and permanent methods have very low patronage among educated women, with usage ranging for 39% to 3%. Researchers should further study how best to reach this group of women and all actors should consider enlarging their programs to cover elite married women.

Abstract---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------xi 

Abbreviations -------------------------------------------------------------------------------xii 

CHAPTER ONE GENERAL INTRODUCTION 

Background to the study ------------------------------------------------------------------1

 Statement of Research Problem--------------------------------------------------------5 

Aim and Objectives ---------------------------------------------------------------------6

 Research Methodology -----------------------------------------------------------------7 

Conceptual clarification----------------------------------------------------------------8

 Scope  and  Limitations  ------------------------------------------------------------------11

 Significance of the Study---------------------------------------------------------------12 

Justification -----------------------------------------------------------------------------13 

Conclusion ---------------------------------------------------------------------------14 

Note -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------15

 CHAPTER TWO LITERATURE REVIEW 

9  Introduction--------------------------------------------------------------------------16

 Review of Related Literature------------------------------------------------------17

Conclusion---------------------------------------------------------------------------34 

Note ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------36

 CHAPTER THREE RESEARCH METHODOLOGY Research Design---------------------------------------------------------------------37 

Area of Study ------------------------------------------------------------------------37

 North East, Nigeria------------------------------------------------------------------37 

Gombe State--------------------------------------------------------------------------38 

Gombe Metropolis------------------------------------------------------------------39

 Population and Sampling-----------------------------------------------------------40 

Instrument of Data Collection ----------------------------------------------------41 

Method of Analysis-----------------------------------------------------------------41

Conclusion---------------------------------------------------------------------------41 Note-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------42

CHAPTER FOUR PRESENTATION AND INTERPRETATION OF FINDINGS 

10  Introduction----------------------------------------------------------------------------------43

Presentations of Data ----------------------------------------------------------------------43

Characteristics of Respondents------------------------------------------------------------43

Perception of Modern Family Planning--------------------------------------------------44 

Interpretation of Perceptions of Modern family Planning-----------------------------46

  Knowledge of Modern Family Planning Methods -------------------------------------50 

Interpretation of Knowledge of Modern family Planning Methods------------------51 

Usage of Modern Family Planning Methods -------------------------------------------52 

Interpretation of Usage of Modern family Planning Methods------------------------52 

Comparative Analysis of Knowledge and Usage Modern Family Planning Methods--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------53 

11  Conclusion-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------53

Note-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------55 

CHAPTER FIVE SUMMARY OF FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

 Introduction  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------56 

Summary of Findings ----------------------------------------------------------------------56

Recommendations---------------------------------------------------------------------------58

Conclusion-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------59

Note-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------62  

CHAPTER SIX CONCLUSION OF THE STUDY 

12  Conclusions of the Study-------------------------------------------------------------------60

Bibliography---------------------------------------------------------------------------------65 

Appendices 

 Appendix 1: Questionnaire ----------------------------------------------------------------65

 Appendix 2: Comparative Analysis of Knowledge and Usage of Modern Family Planning Methods ------