International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

ISSN 2736-1594

International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology ISSN 2326-7234 Vol. 8 (4), pp. 001-006, April, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Factors influencing the choice of family planning among couples in Southwest Nigeria

OLAITAN, Olukunmi Lanre

Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria. E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]. Tel: +234 80 347 15 348.

Accepted 17 June, 2019

Abstract

The study investigated factors influencing the choice of family planning among couples in Southwest Nigeria. Six hundred couples were selected from five Southwestern states in Nigeria through a multistage sampling technique. Questionnaire was used to collect information from the subjects. Five research questions were raised, five hypotheses were formulated and chi-square statistics was employed for the purpose of data analysis at 0.05 alpha level of significance. The findings revealed that socio-economic status, religious factors and cultural norms do not influence couples’ choice, whereas educational background of the couples and involvement of partners toward the choice of family planning significantly influenced the choice of family planning among couples. On the basis of the findings, it was recommended among others that every couple should be well informed about the importance of family planning’s choice so as to improve their reproductive health and economic standard of living, to reduce maternal mortality, morbidity and reduce unwanted pregnancy.

Key words: Family planning, couples, socio-economic