Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Family Planning Among Air Men in the Sam Ethnan Air Force Base, Ikeja, Lagos

Abstract

This study examined the knowledge level, attitude to and the practice of Family Planning among Airmen in Nigeria. It was hypothesized that knowledge of Family Planning, number of children and religion affect the use of Family planning. The study also identified socio-demographic variables and other factors associated with male use of Family Planning. Rational Choice Theory (RCT) was adopted as the theoretical basis for the study. Primary data from 232 respondents were obtained from  questionnaire administered on the sample population. This was complemented with In-Depth Interviews among selected Airmen. Respondents were broadly categorized according to their ranks from ACM to AWO. Quantitative data were analysed using frequency tables and  chi-square, while document analysis was employed for qualitative data. High knowledge of family planning was a predictive of the use of family planning while the study was not able to establish any significant  relationship between the number of children and the use of family planning. Religion did not have any significant relationship with the use of family planning, but 63.4% of men agreed that their religion/denomination encouraged the use of Family Planning. The study therefore encouraged improvement in the use of other media of communication like Family Planning tracts, handbills, and billboards for wider reach. Also Family Planning Clinic should be made to be more men-friendly so as to attract the patronage of more men.

Key words: Family Planning, Airmen, Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, Air men, Nigeria.