Cultural Practices and Adoption of National Family Planning Communication Campaigns on Select Ethnic Groups in Nigeria

Abstract

This study evaluated the extent to which married Idoma (Benue State) and Igala people (Kogi State) in North-Central Nigeria were exposed to the 2017 National Family Planning Communication Campaigns. The study also examined their level of knowledge, the extent to which they adopted the campaign messages, and how Alekwu/Ibegwu and other socio-cultural factors influenced their level of adoption of the campaign messages. The study adopted a quantitative (questionnaire survey) research method. The data were subjected to a descriptive analysis, correlation, ANOVA, Pearson Product Movement Correlation (PPMC), and Binary Logistics Regression. The findings showed that the majority of the people were exposed to information on condoms, implants, and Intrauterine Contraceptive Devices (IUCDs) (Cuppar T) in the course of the campaign; however, most of them were not exposed to information on Oral Pills, Vasectomies, Tubal ligation and Injections. Findings also revealed that knowledge of modern family planning in the study areas (51.2%) was below the 85.8% national family planning knowledge threshold and far below the expected 95% target of the 2017–2020 family planning communication campaign goal. Findings equally showed poor adoption of the campaign messages due to their cultural beliefs. The study concluded that family planning was often accepted among people whose ways of life have been significantly altered in favour of the idea.

Factors affecting family planning behavior among women in Samarinda, Indonesia

“…If the patriarchal culture is strong, women generally obey their husbands. Culture believed by people, such as husbands or other family members, will affect women's ways of thinking and decisions to use contraception [36]. This study shows that most women do not live in strong patriarchal situations.…”

Sociodemographic Correlates of Integrated Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health Services Utilization Among Childbearing Mothers in Nigeria

“…Household barriers to the utilization of IMNCH services exist among married women who may rely on financial support from their husbands, thereby posing barriers to the utilization of these services [ 19 ]. Some studies have also shown that men (who are culturally responsible for upholding their local beliefs) often discourage women from utilizing services such as family planning methods in favor of their cultural beliefs [ 20 , 21 ].…”

“…Education is a long-established determinant of the demand for reproductive healthcare, including self-awareness of the need for reproductive health services [ 17 ]. Studies have shown that the limited uptake of modern contraceptive use in Benue State is due to overriding cultural beliefs despite high levels of knowledge and higher educational levels being associated with a better uptake of family planning methods [ 20 , 22 , 23 ]. Some of the cultural beliefs (in Alekwu and Ibegwu) described include that a woman is married for the purpose of children, a deity would help them in spacing out their children and that contraception amounts to killing the unborn child [ 20 , 21 ].…”

“…Studies have shown that the limited uptake of modern contraceptive use in Benue State is due to overriding cultural beliefs despite high levels of knowledge and higher educational levels being associated with a better uptake of family planning methods [ 20 , 22 , 23 ]. Some of the cultural beliefs (in Alekwu and Ibegwu) described include that a woman is married for the purpose of children, a deity would help them in spacing out their children and that contraception amounts to killing the unborn child [ 20 , 21 ]. This situation is worse in rural areas where it is not permitted for a couple to seek contraception [ 20 ].…”

“…Some of the cultural beliefs (in Alekwu and Ibegwu) described include that a woman is married for the purpose of children, a deity would help them in spacing out their children and that contraception amounts to killing the unborn child [ 20 , 21 ]. This situation is worse in rural areas where it is not permitted for a couple to seek contraception [ 20 ].…”