Accessibility and Utilization of Family Planning Services Among Married Couples in Kogi State, North Central Nigeria

Abstract

Family Planning serves several purposes, including, the reduction of maternal and infant morbidity and mortality rates, sustainable population growth rate, improved economy security for both family and community and treatment of infertility among others. Despite these huge benefits, many factors stand to impede on the practice. This cross-sectional community-based survey examined the access and utilization to family planning services (contraceptive use) and the factors serving as impediments to the overall use among married couples in the purposively selected Local Government Area of Kogi State, North Central Nigeria. The survey adopted both qualitative and quantitative methods and the data were analyzed using Frequency counts, Pearson Chi-square and Linear regression statistics in a Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Version 25.0) environment. The survey recorded a high level of awareness and access to family planning services across the state; however, this did not translate to its uptake. Factors found to influence this result include, perceived side-effects, friends’ disapproval, age, culture and poor level of education among others. Also, the study found a positive association between couples’ level of awareness, availability of family planning methods/services and husbands’ involvement (Chi-Square Tests (X2)=23.991; df=1; p=0.000 Chi-Square Tests (X2)=63.404; df=6; p=0.000; Improved family health β=0.270, t=6.120, p-value=<0.000; attendance of school by children β=0.180, t=4.229, p-value=<0.000; experience of fewer pregnancy β=0.091, t=2.189, p-value=<0.029; improved socio-economics status and well-being β=0.080, t=2.037 p-value=<0.042) respectively in the uptake of the service in the state. However, the availability of family planning methods was found to be strongly associated (63.4%) with the uptake of the services. Therefore, the low level of utilization of family planning in Kogi State among the (49.0%) may be responsible for about (30.5%) who reported terminating an unwanted pregnancy. Not only does this add to the rate of maternal mortality, but the socio-cultural, economic and psychological impact on the women, their families and the entire community can be quite devastating. Therefore, it was recommended among others, that women in their reproductive age be sensitized on the need to maximize the practice of modern family planning methods. Also, increase on the access to contraceptive methods through joint efforts of government and non-governmental agencies to reduce the unmet needs for contraceptive use in the state are encouraged.