Awareness and use of family planning methods among married women in Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

A study of awareness and use of family planning methods among 1188 married women aged 15-40 years, attending antenatal clinic in four different locations, conducted in Ibadan, Nigeria between May to December 1995 is reported. Most respondents (94.3%) were aware of the use of family planning but only 12.0% had ever visited a family planning clinic. Awareness of specific methods was 82.6% for condoms, 75.7% for oral contraceptives, 75.5% for injectable contraceptives and 65.3% for intrauterine device. Current use of family planning methods was low with 10.0% using withdrawal, 8.1% oral contraceptives, 5.2% using intrauterine devices and 4.7% using condoms. Perceived constraints to the use of family planning methods included husband's opposition, fear of complications and perceived insufficient knowledge about family planning methods. It is concluded that there is a knowledge-practice gap in the use of family planning methods among married women in Ibadan, Nigeria. Improved education strategies and better access to services are needed to solve these problems.

PIP: This study examined the level of awareness and the rate of family planning method use among women of reproductive age in Ibadan, Nigeria. The participants included 1188 married women, aged 15-40 years, attending antenatal clinics at four sites in Ibadan: University College Hospital; Adeoyo State Hospital; Primary Health Center, Oiomi; and Omotayo Maternity Center, a private maternity center in Oke-Ado. Most of the respondents (94.3%) were aware of family planning methods, but only 12% had visited a family planning clinic. Awareness of specific methods was 82.6% for condoms, 75.7% for oral contraceptives, 75.5% for injectable contraceptives, and 65.3% for IUDs. Current use of family planning methods was low, with 10% using withdrawal, 8.1% using oral contraceptives, 5.2% using IUDs, and 4.7% using condoms. Perceived constraints to the use of family planning methods included husband's opposition, fear of complications, and perceived insufficient knowledge about family planning methods. Based on these results, it is concluded that there is a knowledge-practice gap concerning family planning methods among married women in Ibadan, which will require improvement in education strategies and better access to services.