Utilization of Family Planning Methods among Rural Farmers in Abia State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study assessed the utilization of family planning methods among rural farmers in Abia State, Nigeria. Purposive and multi-stage random sampling techniques were used to select a sample size of 144 respondents. The study employed questionnaire for data collection. Data analyses were by the use of descriptive statistics and factor analysis. The results showed that the majority (60%) of respondents used traditional method than the modern method. The most popular method used was the condom and a very good number of traditional methods like the abstinence, rhythm and withdrawal. The major factors militating against the utilization of family planning methods were grouped into three factors to include; financial, social and infrastructural. The major variables that affected the utilization of family planning methods under financial factor included; prohibition by custom (0.34087), cost (0.41153) and dislike of methods (0.49389). Variables under social factor included; negative effects on health (0.42234) and religious belief (0.46234). Variables under infrastructural factors included; inadequate information (0.30743), and long distance to source (0.37550). Based on the findings, it was concluded that the utilization of family planning methods was moderate. The study, therefore, recommended among others, to increase the number of community health workers with expertise on family planning to educate the farmers on family planning methods