Adoption and Utilization of Family Planning Services among Couples in Rural-Urban Communities in Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Modern contraceptive use among couples has been documented to be a highly effective means of improving maternal health by preventing unintended pregnancies and maternal morbidity. Nigeria has a high fertility rate and poor contraceptive usage, marred by social and economic dimensions with other cultural norms, including gender disparity. This paper presents the findings of a cross-sectional quantitative study exploring the adoption and utilization of family planning services among couples in rural-urban communities in Oyo State, Nigeria. Systematic sampling technique was used to select 570 women and men of reproductive age in Rural-urban communities of the Oyo state, using a 54 semi-structured questionnaire which included questions on socio-demographic characteristics, perception, socio-cultural factors, adoption, and utilization of modern contraceptive services. Of the 570 respondents, the mean age of the respondents was 30.3 ±7.8 years. Most (63.3%) of respondents were females, while 36.7% were males. The most common family planning methods respondents and their spouses had heard injectable (21.2%), the male condom (18.6%), and implants (15.1%), IUD (13.4%), and pills (13.2%). Spousal support is 0.438 times more likely to influence utilization of modern family planning method and was statistically significant (β=-0.826, Odd Ratio [OR]=0.438, p<0.05). Similarly, stigmatization is 1.298 times more likely to influence the level of utilization of modern family planning methods (β=0.261, Odd Ratio [OR]=1.298, p<0.05). It is important for government and family planning programmers to focus on programs that address stigmatization and effective spousal communication for improved modern contraceptive uptake.