Attitude To And Practice Of Modern Family Planning Among Widows Of Reproductive Age

The purpose of the study was to find out the attitude to and practice of modern family planning methods among widows of reproductive age in Logo Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State. To achieve the purpose of the study, twelve research questions were posed and six hypotheses were postulated to guide the study. Literature pertinent to the study was reviewed. The study utilized cross-sectional survey research design. The instrument used for data collection was the researcher designed questionnaire. Data was collected from 228 respondents and used for the study. To answer the research questions posed for the study, the data was analysed using percentages and means. The hypotheses were verified using Chi- square, t-test and ANOVA Statistics at .05 level of significance. The following results were obtained: Attitude of widows of reproductive age to other women who practice modern family planning, and to those who provide modern family planning services were positive. Attitude of widows of  reproductive age to their possible practice of modern family planning, and attitude of young and old widows of reproductive age to modern family planning based on their age were negative.  Widows of reproductive age with four or less children had positive attitude towards male condom ( x = 2.51) only while those with more than four children had positive attitude towards injectables ( x =2.51) and male condom ( x = 2.51) only. Those with primary education had positive attitude towards male condom ( x = 2.52) only. Those with secondary education had positive attitude towards injectables ( _    = 2.50) and male condom ( x = 2.52) only. Widows of reproductive age with tertiary education had positive attitude towards male condom ( _ = 2.53) only. Widows of reproductive age with non-formal education had negative attitude towards all the components of appliance method of modern family planning. Regarding practice of appliance methods, majority of the respondents (54%) aged 33-49 years had practised male condoms. 

Majority of the respondents (52%) with four or less children had practised male condom. Majority of the respondents (53% and 55%) with more than four children had practised injectables, and male condoms respectively. Majority of the respondents (56% and 71%) with secondary education had practised injectables, and male condoms respectively. There was no significant difference in the attitude of young and old widows of reproductive age towards modern family planning methods. Parity exerted no significant difference in the attitude of widows of reproductive age to modern family planning. Level of education had no significant difference in the attitude of widows of reproductive age to modern family planning. There were significant differences in the practice of pills and injectables between the young and old widows of reproductive age; there were no significant difference in the practice of injecatable, female condom, male condom, and IUCD between young and old widows of reproductive age. Parity had significant difference in the practice of pills, injectables, and surgical method by widows of reproductive age; parity had no significant difference in the practice of female condom, male condom, and IUCD by widows of reproductive age. Level of education had significant difference in the practice of pills, male condom, and surgical method whereas level of education had no significant difference in the practice of injectables, female condom, and IUCD by widows of reproductive age in Logo Local Government Area. On the basis of conclusion drawn from the major findings, it was recommended that due to variations in the attitude to and practice of modern family planning (MFP) by widows of reproductive age, Government should expand and intensify education on MFP programmes so as to bridge the existing gap. It was also recommended that non-governmental organization and community based organizations should embark on behaviour change programmes to educate widows on MFP in order to improve their attitude  to and practice of MFP in the area of study.