Psycho-Social Predictors of Utilization of Modern Family Planning Methods among Married Men and Women in Ijebu- Igbo

Abstract

This study examines the knowledge of family planning, perceived fear of side effects and social variables as predictors of utilization of family planning methods in Ijebu-Igbo. Opinions of two hundred and fifty participants who are married and residents of Ijebu Igbo were sampled using questionnaire. Five hypotheses were generated and tested using Pearson Product Moment Correlation and regression analysis. Results showed that marital status accounted for 26% of variance in utilization of family planning method, with a regression coefficient of β = -.26 (P< .01). The five blocks of predictor variables account for only 17% of the variance; employment status, also significantly predicted utilization of family planning method (β = -.21, P < .05) explaining, together with marital status, 26% of the variance in utilization of family planning method (accounting for R2 – change of .11, P < .01). Results also showed that the lower the perceived fear of side effect, the better their level of utilization of family planning method. Religion has significant influence on the utilization of family planning methods which confirmed second hypothesis. The implications of the study were discussed and it was recommended that health education that will be tailored around knowledge of  family planning should be organized both by governmental and non-governmental organizations since it was found that knowledge of family planning methods is key to their utilization.