CONTRACEPTIVE USE AND FAMILY SIZE PREFERENCES AMONG RURAL WOMEN IN SOKOTO STATE, NIGERIA

  • Karima Abubakar Tunau Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria
  • Kehinde Joseph Awosan Department of Community Health, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The interplay of high fertility, low contraceptive use and high maternal mortality continues to decimate populations across sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to determine contraceptive use and family size preferences among rural women in Sokoto State, Nigeria.

Methods: It was a cross-sectional study conducted in rural communities of Sokoto State, Nigeria, using both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection. It involved interviews to a random sample of 202 women of child bearing age using semi-structured interviewer- administered questionnaires, and focus group discussions among women and men. The quantitative data were analyzed using the IBM SPSS version 17 computer statistical package; while the qualitative data were transcribed, sorted, categorized and analyzed thematically.

Results: The mean age of the women was 27.9 + 8.0 years, most of them had no formal education (85.6%) and were aged 14-19 years when they had their first pregnancy (84.2%). Of the 202 respondents only 10 (5.0%) were using modern contraceptives, most commonly pills 4 (40.0%), and injectable contraceptives 4 (40.0%). The main barriers to use of modern contraceptives were religious beliefs, desire for more pregnancies, poor understanding of FP concept/ disapproval by husbands; and lack of communication between couples. Almost all the respondents 197 (97.5%) preferred large family sizes and most of them 149 (73.8%) were willing to have as many children as possible.

Conclusion: These findings underscore the need for governments and other stakeholders to make female education the central focus of FP promotion programs, in addition to involving men and religious leaders.

Keywords: Contraceptive use, modern contraceptives, family size preferences, rural women, Sokoto 

Keywords: Contraceptive use, modern contraceptives, family size preferences, rural women, Sokoto

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Karima Abubakar Tunau, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria

Kehinde Joseph Awosan, Department of Community Health, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria

Department of Community Health, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria

References

1. Ronsmans C, Graham WJ. On behalf of The Lancet Maternal Survival Series Steering Group. Maternal mortality: who, when, where, and why. Lancet 2006; 368:1189−1200.
2. Smith R, Ashford l, Gribble J, Clifton D Family planning saves lives. 4th edn Population Reference Bureau.2009; 1-22.
3. Stover J, Ross J. How increased contraceptive use has reduced maternal mortality. Mater Child Health J 2010; 14(5): 687-95 doi: 10.1007/s10995-009-0505-y.
4. Population Reference Bureau. 2012 World Population Data Sheet. Available at: www.prb.org/pdf12/2012-population-data-sheet_eng.pdf.
5. Govindasmy P, Malhotra A. Women’s position and family planning in Egypt. Stud Fam Plann 1995; 27(6): 328-40.
6. Caldwell JC, Caldwell P. The cultural context of high fertility in sub-Saharan Africa. Pop Dev Rev 1987; 13(3):409-437.
7. Mairiga AG, Kullima AA, Bako B, Kolo AA. Sociocultural factors influencing decision-making related to fertility among the Kanuri tribe of northeastern Nigeria. Afr J Prm. Health Care Fam Med 2010; 2(1):094.
8. United Nations. World Population Prospects. United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division; 2011. Pop/db/cp/rev 2010
9. NPC and ICF Macro. Nigeria demographic and health survey 2008. Abuja, Nigeria: national Population Commission and ICF Macro; 2009.
10. UNFPA Nigeria. Reproductive health and gender indicators: Report on 2004 baseline survey of UNFPA assisted states in Nigeria. Abuja, Nigeria: United Nations Fund for Population Activities, Nigeria; 2005.
11. Goliber T, Sanders R, Ross J. Analyzing family planning needs in Nigeria: lessons for repositioning family planning in sub-Saharan Africa. Washington, DC: Futures group, Health Policy Initiative, task order 1; 2009.
12. Akunga A. Northern Nigeria: Approaches to enrolling girls in school and providing meaningful education to empower change. United Nations Girls’ Education Initiative; 2010. Available at: http://www.e4conference.org/wp-content/
13. Ibrahim Taofeek. Research methodology and dissertation writing for health and allied health professionals. Abuja: Cress Global Link Limited; 2009.
14. Aliyu AA, Shehu AU, Sambo MN, Sabitu K. Contraceptive knowledge, attitudes and practice among married women in Samaru community, Zaria, Nigeria. East Afr J Public Health 2010; 7(4):342-4.
15. National Population Commission [Nigeria] and ICF International. Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey 2013. Rockville, Maryland, USA: National Population Conmmission and ICF International; 2014.
16. MoE, Sokoto State-GPE. Strategic Education Sector Plan 2011-2020. Ministry of Education, Sokoto State, Global Partnership for Education. Avaialble at: http://www.global partnership.org/fr…/46613.
17. Adebimpe WO, Asekun-Olarinmoye E, Bamidele JO, Abodunrin O. A comparative study of sociodemographic determinants and fertility pattern among women in rural and urban communities in southwestern Nigeria. Cont J Med Res 2011; 5(1):32-40.
18. NPC and ICF Macro. Nigerian Demography and Health Survey 2003 key findings. Abuja, Nigeria and Maryland, USA: National Population Commission Abuja and ICF Macro; 2003.
19. Onwuzurike BK, Uzochukwu BC. Knowledge attitude and practice of family planning among women in a high-density low-income urban area of Enugu, Nigeria. Afr J Reprod Health 2001; 5(2):83-89.
20. Ugboaja JO, Nwosu BO, Ifeadike CO, Nnebue CC, Obi-Nwosu AI. Contraceptive choices and practices among urban women in southeastern Nigeria. Niger J Med 2011; 20(3): 360-5.
21. Kebede Y. Contraceptive prevalence in Dembia district, northwest Ethiopia. Ethiopian J Health Dev 2006; 20(1):32-38.
22. Mqhayi M, Smit J, McFadyen M, Beksinka C, Conolly C, Zuma K, Morono C. Missed opportunities: emergency contraception utilization by young South African Women. Afr J Reprod Health 2004; 8(2):137-144.
23. Shehu CE, Burodo AT. Contraceptive choices among women attending the fertility research unit of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto. Sahel Med J 2013; 16(3):93-96.
24. Deb R. Knowledge, attitude and practices related to family planning methods among the Khasi tribes of east khasi hills Meghalaya. Anthropol 2010; 12(1): 41-45.
25. He H, Фstbye T, Daltveit AK. Reproductive and family planning history, knowledge, and needs: a community survey of low-income women in Beijing, China. BMC Women's Health 2009; 9:23. DOI: 10.1186/1472-6874-9-23.
26. Izugbara CO, Ezeh AC, Ibisomi L, Mberu B. Change and continuity in reproductive norms and behavior: A Northern Nigeria study. Nairobi, Kenya: African Population and Health Research Centre; 2009.
27. Isuigo-Abanihe UC. Male role and responsibility in fertility and reproductive health in Nigeria. Lagos, Nigeria: Ababa Press; 2003.
28. Kamau R, Karanja J, Sekadde-Kigondu C, Runinjo K, Nicholas D, Liku J. Barriers to contraceptive use in Kenya. East Afr Med J 1996; 73(10): 651-9.
29. Tawiah EO. Factors affecting contraceptive use in Ghana. J Biosoc Sci 1997; 29(2):141-9.
30. Ademuwagun ZA. The challenge of the coexistence of orthodox and traditional medicine in Nigeria. In: Ademuwagun ZA, Ayoade JA, Harrison IE, Warren DM, ed. African therapeutic systems. Waltham Massachusetts: Crossroads Press; 1979. pp 165-70.
31. Bachok N, AbdulRazak A, Ismail NM. Acceptance and knowledge of family planning among Muslim women in rural villages of Kelantan. JIMA 2007; 39:109.
32. Adeokun LA. Sociocultural aspects of family planning and HIV/AIDS in Nigeria. Ibadan, Nigeria: ABBI Books; 2009.
Crossmark
Statistics
698 Views | 600 Downloads
How to Cite
1.
Tunau K, Awosan K. CONTRACEPTIVE USE AND FAMILY SIZE PREFERENCES AMONG RURAL WOMEN IN SOKOTO STATE, NIGERIA. JDDT [Internet]. 14Mar.2018 [cited 29Mar.2024];8(2):1-. Available from: https://jddtonline.info/index.php/jddt/article/view/1663