ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES OF FEMALE SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS TOWARDS FAMILY PLANNING IN SCHOOLS IN OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES OF FEMALE SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS TOWARDS FAMILY PLANNING IN SCHOOLS IN OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

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Background of the study

The practice of family planning has called for global attention because of its importance in decision making on population growth and issues of development. Childbearing and the use of contraceptives are some of the most important decisions on reproduction that could be taken by couples to curtail the number of children they want to have. Therefore, the issue of family planning and its methods has led many married women to either accept family planning or reject it (Suntai and Apuke, 2016). The World Health Organisation (1971) defines Family Planning as the practice that helps individuals or couples to attain certain objectives such as avoiding unwanted pregnancies, regulating the interval between pregnancies, controlling the time at which birth occurs in relation to the ages of the parents and determining the number of children in the family.However, Onokerhoraye (1997) sees family planning as the provision of birth prevention information services and appliances.

It also involves teaching men and women about their bodies and teaching them how to prevent births usually with contraceptives but sometimes also with abortion or sterilization. This means men and women need to know more about their bodies and how to prevent unwanted pregnancy. And this could only be by implementing any form of family planning.Childbearing and contraceptive use are among the most important reproductive health decision that many have to make (Gertner, 2009). Family decision and choices are most likely to meet these decisions based on accurate, relevant information, and are medically appropriate, that is, when they are informed choices (Gertner, 2009).There have been a lot of campaigns on the use of family planning and reduction of population from country to country especially in Nigeria. Even at that, a study by NPC (2009) indicates that contraceptive use is still low in many developing countries.

Over the past four decades, there have been numerous publications on contraceptives and other family planning methods. While culture, poverty and poor access have been widely understood as militating against their use (CDC, 2000; Leke, 2000; USAID, 2008; and NPC), studies presenting women’s self identified barriers are relatively few. Much attention is given to eliciting clients’ knowledge and utilization gaps regarding family planning methods, but specific attention to eliciting their knowledge gaps regarding the benefits of family planning is often deficient. Yet, identifying women’s self-reported barriers and benefits is central to any intervention to promote their use especially in Family planning could further entail making decisions on the number of children couples want to have by using different methods to achieve that, ranging from contraceptives to use of condoms, male and female sterilization among others. (CDC, 2000; USAID, 2008). Reshma (2015) adds that, other factors such as culture, low education, poverty and poor access to information on contraceptive are among other numerous reasons that have been identified by scholars to militate against the use of family planning methods.

Basically, there are two major methods of family planning—the traditional and modern methods.  Attempts to control increase in population started from the early men when they practiced coitus interruptus (Withdrawal method) during sex. Therefore, birth control is as old as man himself.  Evidence from medical history indicates that our forefathers did space their children through traditional means. Before the introduction of modern methods, Africans had methods of fertility regulation. Nigerian culture includes many myths, rituals, and the use of herbs in attempts to regulate women’s fertility. Although, many of these traditional methods had no harmful effects on a woman’s health, but some did. Besides, the complete effectiveness of these methods couldn’t be ascertained, because some women still got pregnant despite the use of these methods.

Contrarily, the introduction of the modern methods have helped women around the world to avoid about 400 million unwanted pregnancies, reducing high risk pregnancies and ultimately reducing the number of maternal deaths jeffer (2020). The practices of modern contraceptive methods offer many advantages in health and economy of the couple and the country. The primary aim of family planning enables women and men to plan their families and space their children through the use of modern contraceptives. However, family planning also embraces activities such as infertility and genetic counseling, contraception, abortion and sterilization.

Family planning programs, policies and methods have become increasingly important in the last decade as a result of the socio-economic problems influencing rapid population growth, as well as public health problems, especially control of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as AIDS  Obasi (2021). There is evidence based on many studies which show that these programs are jointly responsible for improvement in the quality of family life, directly benefiting the health of women and children and is the most cost effective intervention to lowering fertility.

Traditional values also play a big role in family planning acceptance and decision, as many cultures and traditions support giving birth to as many children as possible. Some see it as a thing of pride. In places like “Jesse” Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta state, a man with many children is regarded as a strong and rich man as such family planning acceptance is very minimal (Suntai and Apuke 2016). Traditional values feature prominently because the cultural valuation of children is evident in studies which indicate that, among Nigerians, “having fewer than five surviving children negatively affected the use of family planning methods” (Lawoyin et al, 2002) . Although, the Practice of traditional birth control method in rural communities in Nigeria dates back to the oldest rural settlement, but  the introduction of modern family planning  method is  a recent  development. Studies have shown that there is generally low level of acceptance of modern contraceptives   in   Nigeria (Orji, et al. 2007). Against this backdrop, the study seeks to assess the attitude of Female Secondary School Students In Some Selected Schools In Ogun State on family planning

1.2 Statement of the problem

Family planning has attracted global attention due to its importance in decision making about population growth and development issues. Contraceptive use is still low in many developing countries, including Nigeria, where 23.7% of currently married women had ever used one. Despite, the campaign on the usefulness of family planning in having smaller and healthier family, studies by NPC (2009) and Adeleye et al., (2010) indicate that contraceptive use is still low in many developing countries. Over the past four decades, there have been numerous publications on contraceptives and other family planning methods. Adeleye et al., (2010) outline culture, poverty and poor access to some of the factors militating against the use and acceptance of family planning. Therefore, the acceptance and use of family planning among married women in Nigeria has become a contentious problem. Married women tend to give birth to many children forgetting the importance and benefit of family planning. Other factors that contribute to this could be ignorance, illiteracy, African traditional values and norms, husband dominance among others.

1.3 Objective of the study

The main objective of the study is to examine the attitude and practices of women towards family planning services. Specifically, the study aims:

1. To examine the sources of awareness of family planning among Female Secondary School Students In Some Selected Schools In Ogun State.
2. To determine the knowledge of family planning methods among Female Secondary School Students In Some Selected Schools In Ogun State Local Government Area.
3. To explore the factors militating against the acceptance of family planning.

1.4 Research questions

The following research questions will be answered by the study

(i) What is the sources of awareness of family planning among Female Secondary School Students In Some Selected Schools In Ogun State ?

(ii) What is the level of the knowledge of family planning methods among Female Secondary School Students In Some Selected Schools In Ogun State Local Government Area ?

(iii) What are the factors militating against the  acceptance of family planning ?

1.5 Research hypothesis

The present study postulates the following null hypotheses which were tested at .05 level of significance.

Ho1: There is no statistically significant difference between the attitude of young and old women of reproductive age towards family planning methods.

1.6 Significance of the study

Studies such as the 2008 NDHS have revealed that the contraceptive use prevalence is very low in Nigeria which includes Kaduna State, hence it becomes important to study the knowledge, attitudes and practise of natural family planning among couples in the Kaduna metropolis so as to provide useful knowledge directed at controlling high birthrate and to avoid the problems associated with over population. Also, there is evidence that natural family planning methods like the rhythm methods can equally be useful in checking fertility rate and it has actually been in used by couples in developed countries like the USA (Mosher and Goldscheider, 1988). So couples around these areas too will benefit from such knowledge in their practice of natural family planning by providing them with evidence based information on the right skills to be applied in the practise of natural family planning for effective fertility regulation.

Although, there are religions dimensions for its usage. Other studies such as Sherry et al (2010) also have shown that most physicians underestimate the effectiveness of natural family planning and only few of them provide information about natural family planning contraceptive counseling. Physician need better understanding of modern methods of natural family planning to provide evidence based contraceptive counseling to selected highly motivated patients who prefer natural family planning as a contraceptive (Sherry et al, 2010). It is hoped that the study results will come up with useful information that will help physician in these areas of providing contraceptive counseling to patients.

The study results will also help policy makers and programme planners determine what issues need to be stressed in the design of future family planning awareness campaign in Nigeria and used as reference materials by population planners for studying fertility related problems, as a reference material for further study in family planning. Educational programmes will find such knowledge about couples involvement at family planning issues very useful in their campaigns for effective fertility regulation which before now is mainly based on women. The study include couples involvement in programmes targeted to encourage the practice of natural family planning, such information is useful for policy workers in family planning programmes through the propagation of a vigorous public awareness campaign. The study will also contribute to knowledge, and form a basis through which other studies can proceed.

1.7 Scope of the study

The study revolves around issues such as the knowledge, attitude and practice of family planning among Female Secondary School Students In Some Selected Schools In Ogun State Local Government Area. The research is focused on Female Secondary School Students In Some Selected Schools In Ogun State Local Government Area. The study seeks to address such issues as the couples level of awareness of natural family planning methods, their attitudes towards the practice of family planning and how they practise it, the extent of gender and spousal involvement and the challenges couples encounter in their use of family planning methods. So based on the findings of the study, recommendations can be made to encourage or discourage the practise of family planning among couples.

1.8 Limitation of the study

This research work is specifically on the knowledge, attitude and practices of women towards family planning services. In the limitation on research work of this magnitude or nature can be carried out without limitation. Hence, during the course, certain constraints were encountered.

1. Cost: the cost of thorough research is not what can be afforded by a student. The prices of materials needed for this work has gone up and transport fee has also gone up.
2. Time: the time was one of the limitations in the process of carrying out this research work.
3. Scarcity Of Literature: The research encountered some problems in collection of literature especially on the bank History and operations. This are hindered the smooth running of this work.

1.9 Definition of terms

Attitude: Attitude refers to inclinations to react in a certain way to certain situations; to see and interpret events according to certain predispositions, or to organize opinions into coherent and interrelated structure (Bankowski and Bryant, 1985). Attitude in relation to 11 the study refers to the views and opinions of the couples or research respondents on natural family planning methods. Whether they find it acceptable or not; whether they support, like and encourage it or not.

Knowledge: According to Bankowski and Bryant (1985), knowledge is the capacity to acquire, retain and use information, a mixture of comprehension, experience, discernment and skill. Knowledge within the context of this study refers to what the research subjects know about natural family planning, it comprises how they first come to be aware about natural family planning and the various methods of natural family planning.

Natural Family Planning: Refers to fertility regulation methods based on the understanding of the body mechanism without the use of any artificial means.

1.10 Organisations of the study

The chapter one consist of the introductory part of the study which includes the study background, the statement of the research problem, the study objective and scope of the study.

The second chapter is a critical review of other literatures relevant to the study and its objectives including the theoretical framework for the study. While the third chapter is methods of data collection, sampling and data analysis used in conducting the study. The fourth chapter centres around the research findings including an analysis of how it relates to previous findings. The fifth chapter consists of the summary of findings, conclusion and recommendations base on the study objectives.

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