Abstract:

Many unintended pregnancies and illegal abortions contributes significantly to the high mortality rate in Nigeria, which signifies the unmet needs for family planning among women of reproductive age, which could be affected by myriads of factors. Hence, this study assesses factors influencing the utilization of family planning methods among women attending selected health centers in Ile Ife. Osun State. Nigeria.

Findings showed that more than two-third (68.6%) had ever used a family planning method. Meanwhile, about two-third (60.4%) were currently using a family planning method, while 39.6% were not using any method. Majority (26.3%) rated condom as the most effective method of contraception. Factors identified as militating against the utilization of contraceptive use were; fear of side effects (80.2%), personal dislike (71.7%), opposition of spouse (63.5%) and unwelcoming attitude of health workers (61.1%) and non-effectiveness of family planning services (54.3%). Hypothesis testing revealed a strong relationship between fear of side effects and utilization of family planning services (X² = 26.091, df = 1 and p = 0.001 at 0.05 significant value). However, there is no significant relationship between spouse opposition and utilization of family planning services (X² = 1.171, df = 1, p = 0.279 at 0.05 significant value).

In conclusion, although a good number of the respondents were using a family planning method, some of them were not still using it. Hence, the need for health care provider to educate based on isolated factors such as side effects, preference, spousal opposition that influence contraceptive use among women of child bearing age.

Keywords: Factors influencing contraceptive use among Lori Ashford, Donna Clifton, and Toshiko Kaneda, The World’s Youth 2006.

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