ABSTRACT

This research study focuses on the “Factors influencing the use of family planning services among inhabitants at the mile 16 Bolifamba community”, from the December to April 2022. Family planning is an essential strategy in promoting maternal and child health through adequate spacing of birth, avoiding pregnancy at high risk, maternal age and high parity even though family planning usage has increased over a period of time, total fertility rate and population growth rate remain high in Ghana (GSS 2014). High population growth rate can be associated with increased level of poverty as well as maternal mortality, poor child and maternal health. To control highs fertility, family planning use is essential (Decker, 2011). The general objective of the study is to determine the factors influencing the use family planning services amongst inhabitants in the family planning units and specifics objectives; to determine the prevalence of the use of the family planning services amongst inhabitants, to identify the factors contributing to the use of family planning, to mitigate challenges faced by inhabitants in the application of self-care measure to avoid unwanted pregnancy. The study design used was cross sectional, descriptive study, data was collected weekly throughout the study period from inhabitants who came for services by appropriately using questionnaires, 40 inhabitants constituted my study sample and were those who filled the questionnaires. Data was analyzed manually according to the different responses and then inserted in to excel 2016 and represented in tables, bars and charts. The data was analyzed following the specific objectives of the study using the statistical package. Variables in the questionnaires were coded for easy entry and analysis. The main results were as follows; 20(50%) of inhabitants had knowledge of family planning and various contraceptives, 12(30%) were aware of it but had poor perception about it and 8(20%) had no knowledge at all, this is in accordance with WHO guideline (2007). The research concluded that a majority of inhabitants 32 (20%) were aware of family planning and contraception but faced some challenges in assessing the services like unbearable side effects, cultural and religious beliefs. From the above analysis, we can make the following recommendations; provision of health care services in rural areas to ease accessibility, proper education and counseling during Antenatal Clinic and infant welfare clinic visit on family planning, more studies dedicated at a thorough investigation of the different reasons pertaining the non-use of contraception and how it can be addressed.   

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

     1.1 Background

Family planning was set up in 1936. It was first known as the sex hygiene and birth regulation society. At the time, contraception was basic and reliable. In April 1940, the word contraception was introducing at the first national conference held in 1951 and a contraception clinic opened in Remiuera, Auckland. The contraception pill became available in New Zealand in 1961. For the first time, married women had a reliable method of contraception (Agyei et al., 2012). Programs to promote family planning in developing countries began in the 1960s, with the number of countries with official policies to support family rising from only two in 1960-1974 by 1975 and 115 by 1996. Between 1960 and 2000, the proportion of married women in developing regions using contraceptives increased from less than 10% to about 60%, though with huge variations from one area to another (Daulaire, et al., 2002). In 1986, the Cameroonian government officially clarified its position about promoting the practice of family planning in the country, though there is dearth of information with this regard, all over the country. Data from Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) revealed a 26% and 24% prevalence of contraceptive uptake respectively in 2004 and 2011 hence a very low number of women using contraceptives (Bosoc et al., 2012).  

Promotion of family planning has been shown to reduce poverty, hunger, maternal and infant mortality, and contribute to women’s empowerment. But many resource limited countries still have very low rates of contraceptive use. The present study aimed to assess the knowledge and practice of FP among couples living in Mile 16 Bolifamba. The researcher’s problem here is to assess couples’ knowledge and practices on family planning methods because during one of the researcher’s clinical practice, man couples often visited the hospital complaining of unintended pregnancies which drew the researcher’s attention (World Health Organisation, 2018).

  Modern family planning methods which have been documented to be highly effective means of improving maternal health by preventing unintended pregnancies in order to ensure healthy timing and spacing of births, only account for 26% of family planning use in Pakistan. Moreover, the overall levels of family planning use in rural areas continue to remain very low (around 31%), compared to 45% in urban areas; Institute of Population Studies (NIPS) Islamabad Md. USA. 2013. Similarly, couples from the poorest households and those with no education have the lowest Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (CPR).

   In addition, the dynamics of decision-making between a husband and a wife also create barriers to access. Several studies have examined the influence of social and cultural factors on contraceptive use in Cameroon. These studies have emphasized the influence of the wife and the husband on family planning decision making and have highlighted the importance of communication between spouses regarding the use of contraceptives. Despite the huge benefits, family planning is one of the most difficult and least discussed topics, particularly among males in a conservative society where men have the final decision-making power regarding most issues, including reproductive health. Nevertheless, there have been some efforts to target men through either advocacy or behavioral change interventions, but very little has been achieved (Blanc et al., 1998).

   Healthy timing and spacing of pregnancy (HTSP) is a family planning intervention to help women and couples’ delay, time, space or limit their pregnancies to achieve the healthiest outcomes for women, newborns, infants and children, regardless of the total number of children. Thus, a need to assess couples’ knowledge of family planning (Amentie et a.,l 2015).

Vasu persuaded the donor to have the contraceptive manufactured in Mardias and he played a key role in advising the government of India on how to distribute them as the 1970s were born. Nirodh had arrived and no wonder he is now called Vasu the “father of family planning in India (Chhbra et a.,l 2002).

1.2 Goal of Study

This research is carried out to influence the uptake of family planning amongst couples in the family planning unit in order to apply self-care measures to avoid unwanted pregnancy.                                                    

1.3 Problem Statement

Despite the launching of family planning programs in Cameroon, the country’s family planning knowledge and practice remains relatively low and its total fertility rate is still considerable high compared to other African countries (Ngwa et a.,l 2013). During one of the researcher’s clinical experience, the researcher came across a hand full of married women who visited the health centre complaining of unwanted pregnancy and requesting for Dilatation and Curettage (D and C). This drew the researcher’s interest because provided these women had adequate knowledge and practice on family planning, they would not visit the hospital for such procedures to be carried out. This aroused the researcher’s interest in the factors influencing the uptake of family service amongst couples.

1.4 Research Questions

1. What knowledge do the inhabitants of the Mile 16 Bolifamba community have on family planning services?
2. What strategies can be used to enhance the use of family planning services among inhabitants of the Mile 16 Bolifamba community?
3. What are the reasons for limited use of family planning services among inhabitants of the Mile 16 Bolifamba community?

 1.5 Research Goal

   This research is carried to influence the use of family planning amongst the inhabitants in the Mile 16 Bolifamba community.

1.6 Research Objective

1.6.1 General Objective

   To determine the factors influencing the use of family planning services amongst couples at the family planning units.

1.6.2 Specific Objectives

1. To assess the knowledge of the family planning services amongst inhabitants at the Mile 16 Bolifamba community.
2. To determine the strategies used to enhance the use of family planning services among inhabitants at the Mile 16 Bolifamba community.

 3.To identify reasons for limited use of family planning services among inhabitants at the Mile 16 Bolifamba community.