Abstract:
The family planning acceptor rate in the Nkwanta District is generally very low - 3.0% as
compared to the National figure of 16.8%. This is against the background of the fact that
the district is a deprived one in its' early stages of development, a fact which makes
population control very crucial if the new development is not outstripped by an
unregulated population growth.
This study which was a descriptive qualitative and quantitative cross-sectional one, was
designed with the objectives of finding out the possible factors accounting for the low
family planning acceptor rate. FGD’s were held in three of the five sub districts
conveniently sampled and supplemented by a structured questionnaire administered
systematically to a sample of 150 women in their reproductive age (15 49 years)
attending MCH/FP clinics in the district. The questions were to respectively unearth the
knowledge, perceptions, attitudes, beliefs and practices towards family planning and to
help identify other factors which might influence utilization of family planning by
women in the district.
The study, which lasted a period of six weeks revealed that among other factors, the main
factors accounting for the very low family planning acceptance rate in the Nkwanta
District were socio-cultural factors that lead to the desire for many children, including
those that limit the right of women to take decisions concerning their reproductive health
issues as well as marriage and religion.
There was however an insignificant relationship between education, age and the
utilization of contraceptives, even though studies done elsewhere showed the contrary.
Underpinning these barriers are the attitude of men. In this connection, it is recommended
that family planning educational programmes should concentrate on couples and men
instead of on women alone, so as to win the support of the men for family planning.
Efforts should also be made to raise the status of women to enhance their assertiveness to
their reproductive rights. Culturally acceptable IE&C messages should be used to address
the misconceptions unearthed by the FGDs.
