Awareness, Acceptance and Utilization of Family Planning Services Among Women of Reproductive Age in Benin City Nigeria

Abstract

Background: With the high rate of maternal death recorded each year, the use of family planning services may be able to assist in reversing the trend. This study looked at women of reproductive age at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital in Benin City, Nigeria, to see how they perceived, accepted, and used family planning methods.
Materials and method: This cross-sectional descriptive study with a sample size of 287 uses a structured questionnaire as the data collection tool. Cronbach alpha reliability provided a coefficient of 0.775, considered significant for the investigation. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 22, and hypotheses were tested using the Person Chi-square test at a significance level of 0.05%.
Results: This present data found that the respondents' mean SD age was 32.61 6.425, that the majority are educated, with 127 (45.4%) having higher education, and that 276 (98.6%) have heard about family planning and are aware of various methods. Health workers are an important source of information about family planning and its methods, accounting for 188 (68.1%). Only 218 people (77.9%) had ever tried any form of family planning. The failure rate of contraception was 12 (5.5%), whereas the discontinuation rate was 200 (91.7%). Now, 192 (68.6%) were using family planning, while (68.2%) of those who are not using contraception intended to utilize one of the methods in the near future. Economic status was connected with family planning utilization (P = 0.009). The desire for additional children 22(35.5%), fear about side effects 12(19.4%), husband disapproval 10(16.1%), financial restrictions 4(6.5%), and religious belief 14(22.5%) are all barriers to acceptance.
Conclusion: Although respondents are aware of family planning methods, acceptance is relatively low due to a desire for additional children, fear of side effects, husband disapproval, financial constraints, and religious beliefs, all of which must be considered to have a successful implementation of family planning in Nigeria.