Factors Influencing to the Attitude of Women Towards Family Planning in Buea
CHAPTER ONE
Objective of the study
The primary objective of this study is to comprehensively investigate the factors that influence the attitudes of women towards family planning in Buea, Cameroon. The research aims to achieve the following specific objectives:
- To investigate the impact of sociocultural factors, including cultural norms, traditions, and religious beliefs, on women’s attitudes towards family planning in Buea.
- To evaluate the influence of educational status on women’s attitudes towards family planning in Buea.
- To assess the role of healthcare infrastructure in shaping women’s access to family planning services in Buea.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEWED OF RELATED LITERATURE
Conceptual Review
Family planning is the term used to refer to the preparation, knowledge, and methods that assist people to plan and attain their desired family size and to determine the spacing of pregnancy. It involves making decisions. Therefore, FP services include the provision of counseling to avail the necessary information to make informed choices. Though the term FP often refers to pregnancy prevention, strictly speaking, it does include fertility treatment to enhance conception. In this work, the term FP refers to pregnancy prevention. Some methods of FP are modern, while others are traditional. Contraceptives: Contraceptives are the methods used to prevent pregnancy for achieving the desired family size and spacing. Thus, contraceptives are used to assist individuals and couples to implement their FP decisions. This relationship may explain why the terms contraception and FP are used interchangeably in many writeups. Most of the available contraceptive methods are for women, with men having a limited choice of modern methods, mainly limited to male condoms and sterilization (vasectomy). The limited availability of FP methods for men may explain why most of the FP discussion refers to women. Family planning methods: Unwanted pregnancies are linked with many poor and sometimes terrible health and social outcomes, as well as economic losses. FP is the primary public health strategy to prevent unwanted pregnancies. Dixon-Muller R (1999). According to the WHO, various methods can be used for planning pregnancy to achieve desired reproductive goals. Though the term FP is often used to refer to preventing pregnancy, it does include fertility treatment to enhance conception. According to the WHO, the following FP methods are available for use: combined oral contraceptives, progestogen-only pills or “the minipill,” implants, progestogen-only injectables, monthly injectables or combined injectable contraceptives, combined contraceptive patch and combined contraceptive vaginal ring, Intrauterine Device (IUD): Copper-containing or levonorgestrel, male condoms, female condoms, male sterilization (vasectomy), female sterilization (tubal ligation), Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM), emergency contraception pills (ulipristal acetate 30 mg or levonorgestrel 1.5 mg), standard days method, basal body temperature method, two-day method, symptom-thermal method, calendar method or rhythm method, and the withdrawal (coitus interruptus) method. Different FP methods have different levels of effectiveness based on their use. The combined oral contraceptives contain oestrogen and progestogen, and even though with correct use it is >99% effective, the effectiveness drops to 92% with the ordinary use. The progestogenonly pills can be used by breastfeeding women and are up to 99% effective with correct use but with typical use is 90–97% effective. Implants consist of progesterone and are about 99%. The injectables are 99% effective with correct use and 97% effective with ordinary use. The IUDs are up to 99% effective. Male condoms are up to 98% effective with consistent and correct use but on average are 85% effective as commonly used. The female condom is 90% effective with correct use but drops to 79% with common use. Vasectomy is more than 99% effective after 3 months, and tubal ligation is more than 99% effective as well. Emergency contraception pills are 98% effective when used correctly. The standard day’s method is a fertility awareness method that utilizes cycle beads or other aids and is up to 95% effective when used correctly and 88% effective as commonly used. The basal body temperature method is also fertility based utilizes changes in body temperature and is up to 99% effective when used correctly and consistently, but effectiveness reduces to 75% with common use. The two day method is a fertility awareness method based on cervical mucous. It is 96% with correct and consistent use and 86% with common use. The symptom-thermal method is a fertility awareness method that is based on cervical mucous and body temperature. It is 98% effective with correct use. The calendar method or rhythm method is a fertility awareness method that utilizes the pattern of the menstrual cycle. It is up to 91% effective with correct use, and effectiveness reduces up to 75% with common use. The withdrawal method entails the man trying to keep sperm out of the vagina to prevent pregnancy.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of eighty (80) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only seventy-seven (77) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 77 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain factors influencing to the attitude of women towards family planning in Buea. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing factors influencing to the attitude of women towards family planning in Buea.
Summary
This study was on factors influencing to the attitude of women towards family planning in Buea. Three objectives were raised which included: To investigate the impact of sociocultural factors, including cultural norms, traditions, and religious beliefs, on women’s attitudes towards family planning in Buea, to evaluate the influence of educational status on women’s attitudes towards family planning in Buea and to assess the role of healthcare infrastructure in shaping women’s access to family planning services in Buea.. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from selected household in Buea. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).
Conclusion
In conclusion, this study provides a foundation for tailored interventions and policies aimed at promoting positive attitudes towards family planning in Buea. By addressing the identified factors, policymakers, healthcare professionals, and community leaders can contribute to the enhancement of reproductive health outcomes, ultimately fostering the well-being of women and their families in this unique cultural and regional context. Future research should build upon these findings, considering the dynamic nature of societal influences on family planning attitudes.
Recommendation
- Develop and implement culturally sensitive educational programs that address the specific sociocultural dynamics influencing women’s attitudes towards family planning in Buea. These programs should aim to dispel myths, provide accurate information, and empower women with the knowledge to make informed decisions about their reproductive health.
- Invest in and improve healthcare infrastructure, especially in rural areas, to ensure equitable access to family planning services. This may involve increasing the number of healthcare facilities, training healthcare professionals, and implementing outreach programs to reach underserved populations.
- Launch community-based sensitization campaigns to raise awareness and foster community acceptance of family planning. Engage community leaders, religious figures, and local influencers to promote positive attitudes towards contraception and address cultural barriers that may hinder acceptance.
- Economic Empowerment Initiatives: Implement economic empowerment initiatives targeted at women in Buea. These initiatives could include skill development programs, job creation, and financial literacy campaigns to enhance economic stability and provide women with the means to make independent decisions regarding family planning.
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