The influence of cultural norms and customs variables on birth spacing practices in Nigeria

Abstract

This study established the influence of social pressure on women to prove their fertility, breastfeeding practices, postpartum abstinence practices and preferences for male children on birth spacing practices. A total of two hundred and thirty teachers and nurses randomly selected from state schools and hospitals in Ibadan constituted the sample for the study. The three instruments used were author-constructed questionnaires with 0.59, 0.64, and 0.75 reliability coefficient respectively. The data obtained were analysed using multiple regression analysis. The results indicated that significant relationships existed between each of the four variables, and birth spacing practices. The results further indicated that a combination of the independent variables significantly predicted birth spacing practices. The results therefore, indicate the need for health professionals, social workers and counseling psychologists to mount intervention strategies to help couples achieve the birth intervals they want.

African Journal for the Psychological Study of Social Issues Vol. 9(2) 2006: 177-186