Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Family Planning among Women in a Rural Community in Southern Nigeria

Aims: This study was carried out to determine the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of family planning (FP) among women of child bearing age in a community in south-south Nigeria.

Methodology: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study which took place in a clan in Abak, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria among women of child bearing age (15-45 years). The instrument of data collection was an interviewer administered semi-structured questionnaire which examined the socio demographic characteristics and KAP of FP among respondents. The study area was selected through multi-stage sampling method. All consenting women of child bearing age in alternate households were selected until the sample size of 358 was achieved. Data obtained was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17. Frequencies were generated and Chi-square test was used to explore associations. Level of significance was set at 0.05.

Results: A total of 338 questionnaires were retrieved. About 45.9% of the respondents were aged 15-25 years, 136 (40.2%) were married and 17 (5.0%) had no form of formal education. Majority, 299 (88.5%) had heard of FP and the commonest source of information was clinic, 112 (37.5%). The most commonly mentioned FP were injectable, 134 (44.8%) and pills, 81 (27.1%) respectively. Up to 114 (33.8%) had a negative attitude towards FP. A total of 143 (42.3%) respondents used a FP method. The commonest were pills, 39 (27.3%) and injectable, 36 (25.2%). Fear of side effect was the most frequently given reason by 89 (45.6%) for non-use of FP. There was a significantly positive association between educational qualification and use of FP methods (<0.05).

Conclusion: Though the knowledge of family planning methods was high among the women in this study, their use was relatively poor. Adequate health education should be carried out by health workers to dispel fears and encourage higher contraceptive use among women of child bearing age. Female education and male involvement are also advocated.