ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, AND PRACTICE OF FAMILY PLANNING AMONG WOMEN OF REPRODUCTIVE AGE (15-49) ATTENDING ANTENATAL CLINIC AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MAIDUGURI TEACHING HOSPITAL (UMTH), BORNO STATE.
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Family planning services are used as tools for promoting family health and specifically for reducing maternal morbidity and mortality by preventing unwanted and high-risk pregnancies. To this end, the services target women of reproductive age (15-49) attending antenatal clinics at UMTH.
The study is aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice family planning among women of reproductive age attending antenatal clinic at UMTH and to reveal and respond adequately to the observed factors of this subject so that we can engage in a reference assessment of the factors affecting the above services.
A cross-sectional study was carried out at UMTH. The sample size was determined using a statistical formulary adapted from Kish Leslie 420 participants were interviewed. Data was collected using open and close-ended questionnaires. Data were electronically analyzed using a statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 20 and then summarized and displayed.
Out of 420 respondents interviewed, 395 (94.0%) had heard about the family planning method, of which 205 (52.3%) indicated that they had ever used family planning and 187 (47.7%) had never used family planning. This means that though most of the respondents has heard about family planning methods, the level of usage was low. Also, it was found that the decision to use family planning is largely influenced by spouse. Factors associated with low utilization included fear of side effect, wanting children, and religion.
There is a need for intensification of public education at the community level with a major emphasis on the use of family planning. Efforts must be made to explain to the people the benefits as well as possible side effects of the method one may wish to use. This will enable people to make an informed decision in relation to the use of family planning. This is necessary because the present situation shows that most people have heard of family planning but they are not using them.
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