AN INQUIRY ON THE USAGE OF CONTRACEPTIVES AMONG COUPLES IN NORTHERN TARABA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study was set out to find out the usage of contraceptives among couples in Northern Taraba State, Nigeria. The study was triggered by the fact that despite various interventions and awareness on the need to use contraceptives, the usage is still very low in Nigeria, most especially the Northern Nigeria which Northern Taraba State is inclusive. The specific objectives were: to find out the level of contraceptives use in Northern Taraba State, identify the types of contraceptives used by couples in Northern Nigeria and factors that determine contraceptives use among couples in Northern Nigeria. Taro Yamane formula was used to determine the sample size where 1116 respondents were chosen for the study. The data were collected mainly through questionnaires, while official documentation and observations were employed as supplementary tools. The data were analyzed via the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The study finds out that the level of contraceptive use in Norhern Taraba State is low with implants being the type of contraceptives mostly used by the married women. Furthermore, the study also discovered religion, culture, demand for children, partners’ decision are factors that determine contraceptive use among couples. The study however recommended that Public enlightenment on contraception should start from antenatal clinics, religious leaders should be involved as change agents for shaping norms and influencing Behaviours related to family planning and contraceptives. Furthermore, there should be strategies that combine individual education, improvement of services and community outreach/mobilization to inform communities about available services, need for child spacing and to increase acceptability and use of contraceptives