CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

Contraception also known as Birth control, is the intentional prevention of conception through the use of various devices, sexual practices, chemicals, drugs or surgical procedures. An effective contraception allows a physical relationship without fear of an unwanted pregnancy and ensures freedom to have children when desired (Rakhi Jain, et Al, 2011).   Family Planning was set up in 1936. It was first known as the Sex Hygiene and Birth Regulation Society. At that time, contraception was basic and unreliable.  It was common at this time for women to die from illegal abortions. A Government inquiry (the McMillan Inquiry) in 1937 found that at least one pregnancy in five ended in abortion, and that the majority of women dying from illegal abortions were married with four or more children.

Although the birth control pill and other hormonal contraceptive devices are modern inventions, birth control has been around for thousands of years. The earliest known recordings of birth control methods date back to ancient Mesopotamia, around 1850 BC. The ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans all had various forms of birth control (Pandia Health,).  Papyrus scrolls were found to contain directions on how to make birth control, using honey, acacia leaves, and also lint as a form of cervical cap to prevent sperm from entering the womb. In ancient Greece, women were advised to drink copper salt dissolved in water as a way to prevent pregnancy for up to one year.it should be noted that, Copper salt is toxic to the body (Pandia Health,). Birth control has been used since ancient times, but effective and safe methods of birth control only became available in the 20th century. Studies have also shown that it protects against ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, and breast cancer. (Nature, 2007). Some cultures limit or discourage access to birth control because they consider it to be morally, religiously, or politically undesirable.  In developing countries, one in three women give birth before the age of 20. A quarter of an estimated 20 million unsafe abortions and 70,000 related deaths each year occur among women aged 15–19 years.  In sub-Saharan Africa alone, it is estimated that 14 million unintended pregnancies occur every year, with almost half occurring among women aged 15–24 years. It is evident that use of effective contraceptive methods would potentially prevent 90 % of abortions, 20 % pregnancy-related morbidity and a third (32 %) of maternal deaths worldwide (Henry Nsubuga, et Al, 2016).

 Knowledge of women regarding their sexual life, an awareness of the role of contraception in family life as well as access to safe and effective methods are essential to good health. When considering the global impact, large percentage of global pregnancies (40%) are unintended.   Previous studies have shown that knowledge of contraceptives, especially among the women of reproductive age, remains limited, and the rate of premarital sexual activity, unwanted pregnancies, and illegal abortions remains higher among women of reproductive age.

 Cameroon has one of the highest maternal mortality ratios in the world. An estimated 782 women died from pregnancy- or delivery-related causes per 100,000 live births in 2011. This translates to the death of 6,000 Cameroonian women each year, many of whom had not wished to be pregnant in the first place. Lack of access to quality family planning services contributes to large numbers of unwanted and mistimed pregnancies. Many Cameroonian women who have such pregnancies are subsequently exposed to the risks of childbirth without adequate obstetric care or to the perils of unsafe abortion, threatening the lives, health and economic well-being of the women and their families. Meeting women’s need for modern contraception is central to achieving three of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals—improving maternal health, reducing child mortality and combating HIV/AIDS—and contributes directly or indirectly to efforts to achieve all eight goals (Uttmacher institute, 2014). This study aimed to assess knowledge on the use contraceptives among women of reproductive age.

1:2 Problem Statement

It is estimated that the global population will increase by 2.5 billion over the next 43 years, from the current 6.7 billion to 9.2 billion in 2050. This rapid population growth may pose a burden on resource-limited health care settings particularly in many developing countries. Fast population growth may also compromise economic development and political stability. Therefore, controlling population growth is an important component in the overall developmental goal of improving living standards and the quality of life and social well-being of the people. So therefore, this study is carried out to assess knowledge of women of reproductive age 15_49years in the Muea community of Buea

1:3 Rationale

When considering the global impact, large percentage of global pregnancies (40%) are unintended.   Previous studies have shown that knowledge of contraceptives, especially among the women of reproductive age, remains limited, and the rate of premarital sexual activity, unwanted pregnancies, and illegal abortions remains higher among women of reproductive age. This study aimed to assess knowledge on the use contraceptives among women of reproductive age 15_49yesrs in the Muea community of Buea.

1:4 Research Questions

• What knowledge do women of reproductive age 15 _49 years at Muea community have on contraceptives?
• What are the attitude of these women of reproductive age 15_49years have towards contraceptives use in the Muea community of Buea?
• What are the challenges Faced by women of reproductive age 15_49 years on the use of contraceptives?

1:5 Research Objectives

1:5:1 General Objectives

To assess the knowledge of women of reproductive age (15 to 49) on the use of contraceptives in the Muea community of Buea.

1:5:2 Specific Objectives

1. To assess the knowledge of women of reproductive age 15_49years on contraceptives in the Muea community of Buea
2. To find out the attitude of women 15_49years towards contraceptives use in the Muea community of Buea.
3. To identify the challenges women of reproductive age 15_49years faced towards contraceptives use in the Muea community of Buea.