Factors influencing family planning uptake among women of reproductive age attending the general outpatient clinics of Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital, Kano Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Nigeria with her high population, high fertility rate and associated high maternal mortality rate is in dire need for population control through regulated reproduction. Family planning is one of the most cost-effective public health interventions and
is pivotal to reducing a country's fertility and population growth. To ensure regulated reproduction, series of family planning programs have been embarked on by both the government and non government organizations (NGOs). Ironically however, the prevalence of family planning uptake in Nigeria remains abysmal due to certain factors. This study was undertaken to assess the factors influencing family planning uptake among women of reproductive age.
Materials and Methods: The study was a cross sectional study design involving 227 women of reproductive age attending the General Outpatients' Clinics (GOPC) of Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital (MMSH), Kano. Participants were systematically selected  between October and December 2017. Data on participants' sociodemographic characteristics; awareness and practice of family planning; accessibility & availability of family planning services; measurements of the blood pressure and body mass index were collected. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 22 software and variables were considered significant at pvalues less than 0.05.
Results: The prevalence of family planning uptake in the study was 54.3% and 53.6% used injectables as modern family planning method of choice. On logistic regression analysis; marital status (OR 6.550, CI 2.730 – 15.716, p < 0.001), participants' occupation (OR 8.270, CI 3.391 – 10.904, p = 0.040), parity (OR 1.151, CI 1.048 – 1.263, p < 0.003), availability of family planning services (OR 14.250, CI 6.776 – 29.969, p < 0.001), accessibility of family planning services (OR 6.345, CI 1.770 – 22.742, p 0.005) and satisfaction with family planning service providers (OR 47.753, CI 29.364 – 56.333, p < 0.001) were independently associated with family planning uptake.
Conclusion: The strong association of above factors with family planning uptake calls for action from all quarters to develop and implement strategies that will help improve these factors positively in order to actualize the family planning ideology.

Keywords: Family planning uptake, Women of reproductive age, Population growth, Maternal and child health