The Role of Community Health Workers in Influencing Family Planning Decisions among Users: A Case Study in the Ndera Sector of Gasabo District, Rwanda

Abstract

 INTRODUCTION: Community health workers (CHWs) play a critical role in promoting contraceptive knowledge and usage, thereby impacting fertility rates in developing nations. Understanding their contribution to family planning (FP) decisions in specific contexts, such as the Ndera sector of Gasabo District, Rwanda, is essential. 

METHODS: This was a cross-sectional quantitative study of 445 randomly selected family planning users that used a structured questionnaire. 

RESULTS: Ninety-one percent of respondents were female, 53% were aged 25-34 years, and 75% were married. Educational levels ranged from primary to secondary. While CHWs were acknowledged by 97% of respondents, only 41% reported receiving adequate FP information. Statistically significant associations (p<0.001) were found between various demographic and FP-related variables, including age, marital status, FP preferences, access to FP information, satisfaction with information, educational level, and perceived barriers, and CHW’s Contribution to Family Planning Decisions. 

CONCLUSION: The study highlights a lack of male involvement in FP services in Rwanda, with only 9.1% of participants reporting male involvement and suboptimal provision of family planning information by community health workers.