A Study on Utilisation of Family Planning Services Among the Women of Reproductive Age Group in Badagry Local Government Area of Lagos State, Nigeria

A Study on Utilisation of Family Planning Services among the Women of Reproductive Age Group in Badagry Local Government Area of Lagos State, Nigeria

One of the most effective ways to address population growth and achieve larger sustainable development goals is to increase access to sustainable free voluntary family planning services. However, family planning services  seem not to be widely utilized in both urban and rural populations of developing countries.

This was a descriptive study that was carried out, between April and July 2008, on women of reproductive age group in Badagry Local Government Area(Rural Population) of Lagos State, Nigeria to assess their knowledge, attitude, utilization of family planning and factors affecting  the utilization among them.

The respondents were selected by a multi-stage sampling technique. Data collection was with the use of interviewer administered questionnaires. Epi-Info 6 Statistical software was used to analyse the data.

Four hundred respondents were sampled and most of them (86%) had heard of family planning with 80.8% of these knowing at least one contraceptive method. The chief source of family planning information were government hospitals. Eighty two percent  of the respondents supported family planning use among unmarried women.

The contraceptive use in this population was very low and it stood at 22% for all methods while only 56% of those who are sexually active had ever used contraceptives.. The three most commonly used contraceptives are :oral contraceptive, injectibles and Intrauterine contraceptive device.

The main reason for non-use were religion, lack of adequate information and yet to complete family size. The contraceptive use in this study has been associated with age, advice on family planning and unplanned pregnancy (P-values <0.05).

Improved mass media activity and continuous enlightenment to achieve positive behavioral change towards family planning should be embarked upon to increase contraceptive use in this community.