Utilisation of Fertility Awareness Based-Methods (FABMs) of Family Planning Among Senior Secondary Students in Okrika Kingdom, Rivers State

Abstract

Modern family planning use has risen in the developed world compared to the developing countries including Nigeria. Nigeria is already facing population explosion, as the birth rate is higher than the World average. This study examined the utilization of fertility awareness-based methods of faming planning among Senior Secondary pupils in Okrika Kingdom of Rivers State. The descriptive cross sectional design was used with a population which comprised 5,087 senior secondary students in Okrika Kingdom. The sample size was 408 which was determined using the Taro Yamane formula: n = N/1+N(e)2. Multistage sampling procedure was adopted to select the participants. The research instrument for this study was a questionnaire designed titled “knowledge of fertility awareness based method rating scale (KFABMRS)”, with a reliability coefficient of 0.79. Data was collected by administering the questionnaire to the respondents physically. The completed copies of the questionnaire were collated, coded and analysed using mean and Point Biseral at 0.05 Alpha level. The result showed on that, only about one quarter 101(25.3%) indicated that they are currently using any FABM while 82(20.6%) used it in the past. The top in the list of FABMs of family planning used was calendar/rhythmic method 67(16.8%), followed by the cervical mucus method 28(7.0%) and the fewest being basal body temperature method 12(3.0%). FABMS of family planning was utilized more by Traditionists (100%), followed by Muslims (26.7%), and Christians (26.7%). Students aged 15-19 years utilize FABMS of family planning most (25.5%), followed by those aged 10-14 years (25.0%). There was a statistically significant relationship between utilization of FABMS of family planning and both age (N = 399, r = 0.12, p = 0.00), and religion and (N = 399, r = 0.06, p = 0.19). It was concluded that there was a low utilization of fertility awareness-based methods among senior secondary students, which was linked directly to the age and religious affiliation of the students. It was recommended among others that, the Government should establish more youth friendly /school based family planning services to make FABMs accessible to all students, this will proffer solution to the problem of lack of access to contraceptives.