Family Planning in Nigeria: a Myth or Reality? Implications for Education

Abstract

This study investigated the extent of family planning, the methods and contraceptive devices in use and the influence of education on family planning among couples in Nkanu Local Government Area of Enugu State. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population comprises all the married couples in this area. A sample size of six hundred married people was selected for this study.  Questionnaire was used for data collection. The instrument which was validated by three experts in relevant areas has two parts. Part A elicited the respondents’ bio-data while part B consisted of 12 items to elicit information to answer the research questions. The items were structured on a four point scale.  In the selected area, the instrument was administered personally by the researchers to the literate respondents while the illiterates were interviewed using the items in the questionnaire. Percentages were used to answer research questions 2 and 3 while real limit of numbers was used to answer research question 1. The result shows that family planning practice among couples in Nkanu Local Government Area of Enugu State is high; the contraceptive methods used were mainly traditional.  Educational status has positive influence on family planning in the area. It was recommended that the rural areas should be enlightened on the efficiency of the modern family planning methods.

Key words: family planning, traditional methods, modern methods, couples, education.