CHAPTER ONE

1.1 BACKGROUND STUDY

Modern family planning refers to modern contraceptives method other than traditional or natural family planning methods (NSO, 2004). Park (2007) defined modern family planning, as preventive methods that help the woman avoid unwanted pregnancies. They include all temporary and permanent measures to prevent pregnancies resulting from coitus. Modern family planning methods may be broadly grouped into two classes, namely: spacing methods and terminal methods. These methods are further categorized into three sub-categories namely, non-appliance, appliance, and surgical methods. Oreachata (2007) referred to non-appliance methods as non-manipulative methods of family planning such as pills which are taken orally to prevent pregnancy. Non- appliance methods include hormonal methods (oral pills). Okoye and Okoye (2007) noted that oral pills which are hormone-based contraceptives are the most popular and also the most effective non-appliance methods of family planning in the World. They further observed that the first time to start taking your first package of birth-control pill is the day your period begins. According to Park (2007), appliance methods refer to any contraceptive instrument, drug, preparation or thing designed to, prepared or intended to prevent pregnancy. Spermicides are surface active-agents which attach themselves to spermatozoa and inhibit oxygen uptake and kill sperms. They include among others: foams, creams, suppositories, and soluble films. Okoye and Okoye viewed male condom as a rubber or processed collagenous tissue sheath that fits over the erect penis and acts as a barrier to the transmission of semen into the vagina and also prevent the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

They described female condom as a soft plastic that resembles a diaphragm and condom combination. It consists of a soft, loose-fitting sheath with two flexible rings similar to those of a diaphragm. One of the rings is put into the vagina which serves as internal anchor and the second ring remains outside the vagina to make it possible for the man to find the entrance of the vagina which is now covered by a sheath. It is an effective barrier to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and semen into the vagina.

Studies have revealed that level of education has strong influence on attitude to and practice of modern family planning. Kaba (2000) pointed out that educational status of women was found to have an impact on contraceptive use. Those women who have some level of education were found to have better knowledge and tend to use contraceptives. Philippines National Demographic and Health Survey, PNDHS (2000) revealed that women with an elementary school education were more likely than those with more education or with none at all to want no more children and thus tend to use modern contraception. These variables were surveyed and some behaviour-change theories applied, to explain widows, attitude to and practice of modern family planning. So the study focuses on the Factors affecting the use of modern methods of family planning and family development among married couples in Orumba south local government.

1.2     STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Modern family planning methods are considered a first line of defense against unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and human immune-deficiency virus (HIV). The consistent and correct use of modern family planning methods reduce greatly unwanted pregnancies, STIs and HIV among women of reproductive age in any nation thus enhancing their health. However, it appears that attitude and practice of modern family planning among women of reproductive age in Nigeria is low and it varies by demographic and socio-economic characteristics. This calls for a study to verify what obtains in Orumba South LGA. These influenced the need to carry out a study on the Factors affecting the use of modern methods of family planning and family development among married couples in Orumba south local government

1.3     OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The general objective of this study is to examine the Factors affecting the use of modern methods of family planning and family development among married couples in Orumba south local government. The specific objectives are:

1. To ascertain if married couples in Orumba South LGA have access to the use of modern methods of family planning and family development.
2. To determine the effects of poverty on the use of modern methods of family planning and family development among married couples in Orumba south local government.
3. To find out the influence of religious belief on the use of modern methods of family planning and family development among married couples in Orumba south local government.
4. To know if lack of awareness affects the use of modern methods of family planning and family development among married couples in Orumba south local government.
5. To ascertain if socio-cultural factors affect the use of modern methods of family planning and family development among married couples in Orumba south local government.