CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Family Planning provides individuals and couples with the essential freedom to make

choices about their reproductive lives. It allows them to decide if and when they want to have

children, as well as how many children they desire. By adopting contraceptive techniques, not

only do health outcomes improve, but also educational and economic outcomes, particularly for

girls and women. The use of contraception has the potential to prevent approximately 2.7 million

infant deaths and preserve 60 million healthy lives each year worldwide. Additionally,

contraceptive use can prevent at least 25% of maternal deaths by preventing unwanted

pregnancies and unsafe abortions, while also protecting against sexually transmitted infections.

The international community, in line with the third sustainable development goal, is committed

to reducing the global maternal mortality rate to fewer than 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030.

There are multiple factors that influence the attitudes of women of childbearing age towards

family planning. These factors can be categorized as socio-economic, cultural, community

norms, religious affiliation, gender roles, and the effectiveness of available services. Family

planning allows couples to determine the timing of their pregnancies. There are various

techniques available for family planning, including oral pills, injectables like Depo Provera and

Noristerat, intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUCDs), condoms, implants, and sterilization. The

main goal of family planning, also known as birth control, is to enable couples to limit the

number of children they have and control the spacing between pregnancies.

Family planning involves making decisions about when and how many children to have, as well

as utilizing birth control methods to implement these plans. This approach ensures that parents
can provide optimal care for their children, both financially and emotionally (United States

Department of Agriculture, 2007). According to WHO (2004), family planning is a voluntary

choice made by individuals and couples based on knowledge, attitudes, and responsible decision-

making. Its purpose is to promote the health and well-being of families and contribute to the

social development of a country.

However, family planning is often equated solely with birth control and child spacing. It can also

include sterilization and pregnancy termination. Raising a child requires significant resources in

terms of time, social support, finances, and the environment. Family planning measures are

designed to regulate the number and spacing of children within a family, primarily to manage

population growth and ensure equitable access to limited resources.

The concept of women of childbearing age towards family planning extends beyond

contraception and encompasses a range of decisions related to sexual and reproductive health. It

involves choices about seeking or avoiding pregnancy, spacing and timing of childbearing,

contraceptive use, selection of family planning methods, and the decision to continue or switch

methods. The attitudes of women towards family planning are influenced by individual factors as

well as social, economic, and cultural norms, gender roles, social networks, religious beliefs, and

local customs (Bosveld, 2000).

Community norms play a significant role in shaping individual preferences for childbearing and

sexual reproductive behavior. Cultural influences and beliefs can impact a person's attitude

towards family planning, including desires for the sex of their children and pressures to have

children. It is important to understand these community and cultural factors as they can influence

the utilization of family planning services.

not take advantage of available family planning services. The attitude of women towards family

planning is not always positive, and this underutilization of services is a concern. Therefore, it is

crucial to explore the reasons behind the attitudes of women of childbearing age towards family

planning.

1.2 Statement of the Research Problem

population growth, as it enhances the ability to improve the lives of its citizens. Nigeria serves as

an example, with the rapid population growth highlighted in the 2006 census figures. The issue

of population growth is considered to be one of the most significant socio-economic challenges.

Numerous studies have explored the factors influencing the uptake of Family Planning in

different regions. A cross-sectional analysis of data from low and middle-income countries

revealed that various factors have different effects on Family Planning uptake. Higher levels of

community education positively influence the uptake, while gender and fertility-related norms

negatively impact contraception use. Exposure to media, on the other hand, does not appear to

have a positive influence. Barriers to Family Planning uptake at the community level include

myths, misconceptions, side effects, social stigma, and cultural or religious beliefs. Several

individuals, national and international organizations, such as the World Health Organization,

have warned about the dangers of population growth and advised couples to limit their family

sizes.

To address this pressing issue, it is crucial to plan and control population growth in Nigeria. The

country is experiencing a significant increase in population without a proportional rate of

economic development, posing a serious problem that requires immediate solutions. Despite the

attention given to Family Planning, it remains underutilized within society. Scholars have
observed that certain variables influence the attitudes of women of childbearing age towards

utilizing family planning services. This study thus focuses attention on investigating the factor

that influences the attitude of women of childbearing age toward family planning in Kano

Metropolis.

1.3 Research Question

The study provided answers to the following questions:

i. What is the disposition of women of childbearing age toward family planning in Kano

metropolis?

ii. To what extent does socio-economic status influence attitude of women of childbearing

age toward family planning?

iii. How does religious affiliation influence attitude of women of childbearing age toward

family planning?

iv. To what extent dose cultural norms influence attitude of women of child bearing age

toward family planning.

v. How does educational status affect attitude of women of childbearing age toward family

planning in Kano metropolis?

1.4 Objective of the Study

General objectives: The main objective of this study was to assess the factors influencing

attitude of women of childbearing age toward family planning in Kano Metropolis, Kano State.

Specific objectives: The specific objectives of this study were to:

i. Deposition of women of childbearing age toward family planning in Kano metropolis.

ii. The influence of socio-economic status on the attitude of women toward family planning.

iii. Whether religious affiliation influence attitude of women toward family planning.
 iv. The influence of cultural norms on attitude of women towards family planning

v. Whether educational status affects attitude of women of childbearing age toward family

planning.

1.4 Research Question

The study provided answers to the following questions:

i. What is the disposition of women of childbearing age toward family planning in Kano

metropolis?

ii. To what extent does socio-economic status influence attitude of women of childbearing

age toward family planning?

iii.How does religious affiliation influence attitude of women of childbearing age toward

family planning?

iv. To what extent dose cultural norms influence attitude of women of child bearing age

toward family planning.

v. How does educational status affect attitude of women of childbearing age toward family

planning in Kano metropolis?

1.5 Research Hypotheses

Based on the objective of the study, the following hypotheses were formulated to guide the

study.

i. Disposition of women of childbearing age toward family planning is significantly low in

Kano metropolis.

ii. Socio-economic status would not significantly influence attitude of women of childbearing

age toward family planning.

childbearing age toward family planning.

iv. There would be no significant influence of cultural norms on attitude of women of child

bearing age toward family planning.

v. Educational status of women, of child bearing age would not significantly influence their

attitude toward family planning.

1.6 Significance of study

This study will be of benefit to women and society at large. They will gain much from the

information contained in this project endeavor. The result of this study as envisaged will be of

great assistance to women of child bearing age. Who are at the receiving end of consequences of

using contraception or no utilization of available services? This research work will also be of

help to currently married women and their partners who have no knowledge about family

planning. It will help them to equipped with skill on how to avoid unwanted pregnancy. It may

also give an insight on how they could make their choice on different family planning methods.

In addition, it will foster their acceptance of family planning since both the modern and the

traditional methods of family planning are provided. The research will be significant to

reproductive health researchers as it may serve as a reference material. This study project will

further contribute to the growth, development, expansion, and awareness of family planning and

its value to society. The study will also be significant to policy formulators and executors

regarding the effective use of family planning. To propose recommendations that will alleviate

the identified erroneous beliefs that influence family planning practice.

1.7. Delimitation of the study

Kano metropolis. The study did not include their male counterparts. The study investigated

selected variable such as: socio-economic status, religious affiliation, cultural norms and effect

of educational status, besides the attitude of these women toward family planning.

1.8. Limitation of the study

This study was limited by certain factors which limit the smooth conduct of the study. These

factors include: Lack fund to carryout elaborate research work, Uncooperative attitude

willingness of some people to give responds consistently to the research instrument and the time

gap for the completion of this research was also short. The researcher had to work even at odd

hours in order to complete the research on time

1.9 Definition of Terms

The following key terms have been defined for classification.

i. Family planning (FP): It is the decision made by an individual or couple to bear the

number of children they will be able to care for and to have them.

ii. Attitude: This refers to the behaviour of women toward family planning neither

positive nor negative which influence their usage.

iii. Childbearing Age: This means the period women’s menstruation starts to the period

of puberty to menopause.

iv. Knowledge: It refers to the degree of awareness and understanding of family

planning and available family planning services.