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Information Sciences Letters

Information Sciences Letters

Abstract

This study explored the access and use of birth control information, with direct focus on women of child bearing age in Samaru. The study is guided by three objectives: to identify if information on birth control is available to women of child bearing age in Samaru, to identify the sources of information on birth control to women of child bearing age in Samaru and to examine the factors affecting the utilization of birth control information among women of child bearing age in Samaru. For this work, quite a number of related literatures were reviewed to get other authors perspective on the topic. The research adopted a quantitative survey technique by employing the use of a structured questionnaire. The population of study consists of married women of reproductive age in Hayin-Dogo Primary Health Care Center Samaru; a convenient sampling technique was employed in selecting 131 women of child bearing age for the study. The questionnaire was used for collecting data, and data collected were analyzed using frequency table and simple percentages. The study revealed that about 109(92.4%) of the women indicated that information on birth control is available while about 9(7.6%) responded not to be aware of such information. The most common sources of birth control information were found to be clinics, radio, religious institutions, family and the community. 87(25.51%) heard birth control information from the clinic, making it the highest source of birth control information, 47(13.78%) heard the information from radio and 40(11.73%) and 40(11.73%) got the information from religious institutions and their families respectively including the community 34(9.97%). The actual practice of birth control methods was found to be about 89(75%) at the time of the survey which is still below the desired threshold. For type of birth control method subscribed to, dual protection with 36(23.65%), Widrawal with 20(13.25%) and fertility awareness with 18(11.92%) are the birth control methods with the highest prevalence rate. Also, For the factors militating against the effective utilization of birth control information, from the study it was revealed that 32(14.95%) is attributed to lack of male spouse involvement as the major factor, 29(13.55%) indicated religious beliefs as a factor and 27(12.62%) indicated fear of infertility later in life as a factor, while 26(12.15%) is attributed to fear of side effects. Based on the current revelations and findings in this study, the study recommends: re-educating current users and educating potential users about the benefits of birth control measures cannot be overemphasized. This can be achieved by employing a very robust and holistic communication strategy that emphasizes the health benefit of birth control, the types of methods available, the relative effectiveness and side effects of the various methods and improving client counseling, including accurate information about specific birth control methods. These are some of the effective strategies that can dispel myths and misconceptions about side effects, and fertility related issues.

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