Preference for family planning methods among literate married adults in Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria

Abstract

Family planning is one of the major programmes aimed at reducing infant and maternal mortality across the globe. However, inadequate knowledge about the preferred methods could hinder the uptake by the beneficiaries. This study investigated preference for family planning methods among literate married adults in Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria. The descriptive survey method was adopted while the cluster sampling technique was used to select 452 participants. Preference for Family Planning Method Questionnaire (PFPMQ) was used to collect data. The instrument possessed a reliability coefficient of 0.79. The descriptive and inferential (t-test and ANOVA) statistics were used to analyse the data. Hypotheses were tested at 0.05 alpha level. The most preferred category of family planning was the natural method while the least was traditional. Respondents were not similar in their preference for FPM based on gender, number of children and knowledge of FPM. Thus, natural family planning method will be more acceptable among literate married adults. Counsellors and health workers should educate literate married adults on efficacy of other modern FPM such as hormonal and sterilization in order that they are also preferred.

Keywords: Preference, Family Planning Methods, Literate