Utilization of Family Planning Methods among Women Accessing Maternal and Child Health Care Services in Kogi State

Abstract

The study investigated utilization of family planning methods among women accessing maternal and child health care services in Kogi State. The study was guided by three research questions and two hypotheses. The cross-sectional descriptive survey research design was used for the study. The population of the study comprised all the 9,528 women who registered and access maternal and child health care services in 86 healthcare centers in Kogi State. A sample size of 476 women representing 5 per cent of the total study population was drawn using the multi-stage sampling procedure. A valid and reliable self-developed Utilization of Family Planning Methods Questionnaire (UFPMQ) was used for data collection. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions, while the hypotheses were tested using one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and a sample independent t-test statistics at .05 level of significance. The findings of the study revealed moderate extent of utilization of barrier methods (=2.65 1.10); natural methods (=2.57 1.03) and hormonal methods (=2.51 1.02) among women accessing maternal and child health care services in Kogi State. The findings further showed that those 33-49years had higher mean scores ( =2.69. SD =0.77) than 15-32years ( =2.66, SD= 1.10), 14years and below=2.58, SD= 1.16), and 50years and above ( =2.56, SD=1.11); Location (Urban =2.87, SD= 1.26) and low extent of (rural =2.01, SD= 1.15) in utilization of family planning methods in Kogi State. There was a significant difference in the extent of utilization of family planning methods among the women in Kogi State based on: age (F_(3,456)=394.92, p<0.000); and location (t-cal=-20.37, p<0.000).  However, health workers should consider age and rural location in the course of education on family planning methods to strengthen utilization and reduce maternal mortality and improve child spacing.