Family planning practices among couples of reproductive age in the Tolon/Kumbungu District, of Northern Region, Ghana
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Date
2005-11-09
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Abstract
The increase in world population is the most phenomenon. Population growth has become the concern of Developed and Developing countries hence the introduction of contraceptive use as an advent of family planning.
Family planning (FP) programmes are crucial and if relevant cost effective and tailor made interventions are to be implemented to control population growth, then the use of modern contraceptives cannot be over emphasized. The study sought to identify gaps or causes of low FP practices among couples of reproductive age in Tolon/Kumbungu District of the Northern Region of Ghana.
The study design was cross sectional exploratory. Multi stage sampling technique was used to select (Sub-Districts, Zones, Communities, compound houses and study subjects).
Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected from two population samples:
compound houses/household and service providers. A representative sample of 150 respondents from compound houses and 10 service providers were interviewed. Individual face-to-face interviewing was used.
Findings showed that there was a high fertility preference among couples of reproductive age as 86% of couples interviewed desired to have more than 5 children in their whole life.
Communication on family planning between couples was relatively low, only 35% of study participants communicated on FP. Knowledge on FP was relatively high though awareness was generally limited to only three methods; condom, injectables and pills. Condom was the widely known method. Access to family planning was not easy for couples whiles socio-cultural and religious factors accounted for low FP practice among couples. There was general approval of FP as 68% of couples did approve of FP practice.
There are very few organizations and individuals implementing programmes aimed at addressing the unmet needs for family planning in the District. It is recommended that organizations like Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana extend their activities in to the District and this could improve family planning practices in the District. It is recommended also that tailor made messages for the distinct sub population be provided. Efforts should also be made to educate couples on various FP methods since awareness is limited to only three methods. Socio-cultural factors that inhibit FP practices should be discouraged and the stigmatization of contraceptives users particularly women should be discarded. Further studies should be carried out to determine FP practices among other age groups and in the big towns of the District.
Description
A thesis submitted to the Board of School of
Graduate Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of degree of Master of Public Health in Population and Reproductive Health, 2005