The Socio-Cultural Factors Affecting Family Planning Services in Nigeria

This study investigated the socio-cultural factors affecting family planning services among women in Nigeria with special reference to Bade local government, Yobe State. Over a long period of time the issues of family planning have been neglected because so many believes that children are to be birth by chance and not by choice which is opposite of modern family planning philosophy. The main objective of this study is to identify and examine major socio-cultural factors affecting family planning programs in the study area and suggest possible solutions for it. Questionnaire was the major instrument used in data collection. The data collected was analyzed using simple percentage and frequency distribution. The study discovered that there are socio-cultural factors affecting the use of family planning programs among women in the area such as Lack of knowledge and awareness of the health benefits of family, social stigma rumors and myths about use of contraceptives, and lack of consensus among partner is considered as factors preventing family planning practice. It was recommended that government and non-governmental organizations should provide enough facilities and medical personnel for them to provide family planning services and accurate information to dispel myths and including both men and women in family planning consoling and procedures.