Use of Family Planning among Women Farmers in Ijebu North- East Local Government Area of Ogun State

Abstract

Reproductive life of women farmers has indirect consequence on agricultural productivite since women are greatly involved in agricultural production and processing activities. Family planning is one of the ways to ensure good reproductive health among women. The study assessed the use of family planning methods among rural women in Ijebu North-East Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria. One hundred and twenty six reproductively active women farmers were selected through random sampling technique from 10% of villages in the study area. Interview schedule was used to obtain data on respondents' socio-economic characteristics, awareness of family planning methods, sources of information, choice of family planning methods, attitude towards family planning and constraint  associated with use of family planning. Results revealed that majority (85.7%) of the respondents were not more than 50 years old and became aware of family planning through the radio (86.5%), friends (80.2%) and health agents (77.8%). Methods utilized by most respondents included behavioural (52.4%), barrier (50.8%) and abstinence (42.1%). Choice of methods was influenced by ease of use (34.9), age (28.6%) and family size (27.8%). Majority of the respondents (79.4%) were favourably disposed to the use of family planning. Notable constraints faced by most women farmers in the study area included religious objection (55.6%) for abortion(55.6%), low level of exposure for rhythm method (51.6%) and spouse support for abstinence (46.8%). The study concluded that favourable disposition of the respondents to the use of family planning was a potential that could be harnessed towards improved agricultural productivity of women farmers in the study area.