Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Family Planning among Women Attending Maternal and Child Health Clinic NIFOR Benin, Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The importance of family planning to the health of women and their entire families cannot be over emphasised. It is also critical to increasing a country’s progress, towards reducing poverty and accomplishing developmental goals. Having a great effect on the health of the women, family planning was recognised as one of the targets of the United Nations millennium development MDG goals, now sustainable developmental goals (SDGs). The objective of the study is to assess knowledge, attitude and practice of family planning among women attending maternal and child health clinic in NIFOR, Edo state Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was used. Pre-test self structured questionnaire was administered conveniently to a sample size of 213 women attending the maternal and child health clinic in NIFOR. Data were analyzed using proportions, means and percentage and hypothesis were tested using chi-square at 5% level of significance. 91.5% of the respondents were aware of family planning. 82.5% had knowledge of family planning and 91.5% of the women knew at least one method of family planning. Respondents attitude were positive as the mean score recorded in most of the items were above 3.0. Only 32% of the respondents practiced family planning. Religious injunction (28.7%), fear of side effect (26.5%) and cultural beliefs (23.5%) were the major reasons given for not practicing family planning. Significant relationship was found between the respondents knowledge and family planning practice (X²=16.6> tab. 3.841 at df 1,0.05; P <0.05), family planning practice and educational level (X²= 25.47 tab 14.067 at df 7 0.05; P <0.05) and between the knowledge and educational level (X²=105.97 tab 14.067 at df 7,0.05; P <0.05). The high knowledge of family planning and positive attitude among the women did not reflect on family planning practice, thus project aiming at increasing the knowledge and practice of family planning should be embraced. Health care provider especially nurses should provide adequate information on family planning that will inform their choice and ensure effective practice of family planning.

Keywords: Knowledge, attitude, practice, family planning, women

Cite this Article

Ehwarieme T.A, Iriafen L.Z. Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Family Planning among Women Attending Maternal and Child Health Clinic NIFOR Benin, Edo State, Nigeria. Research and Reviews: Journal of Computational Biology. 2016; 5(1): 6–18p.