Utilization of Family Planning Services in Africas Most Populous Nation, are we at a tipping point

Abstract

Obinna Orjingene, Ogojah Teryila

Background Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa, with a population growth rate of 2.53 percent, one of the highest contributors to the global maternal and new born deaths burden. Family planning service utilization has remained low despite efforts by development partners and the government. Hence, the need to examine the utilization of family planning services in order to understand regional preferences, trends, patterns, and utilization associated factors such as accessibility and availability of the services to the populace.

Methodology Critical analysis regarding the utilization of family planning in Nigeria was used with source data from NDHS 2003, 2008, 2013, and 2018 and DHIS2. The analysis focused on the utilization of family planning services and most utilized family planning options.

Finding Contraceptive use among women of reproductive age is generally higher in the northern region than in the southern region. A five-year trend in the utilization of family planning services by women of reproductive age is showed a slightly declining trend in the utilization of family planning services by women of reproductive age in the country.Injectables and implants were married women’s most utilized family planning options. As reported by health facilities, utilization of family planning services in 2021 showed that condoms and implants were the most utilized family planning options.

Conclusion The findings urge the need to intensify sensitization among the rural populace on the benefits of family planning, improve female literacy and empowerment, and make easily accessible family planning services and commodities.

PDF