Project Materials

ACCESSIBILITY, USE, MISUSE AND EFFECTS OF COMBINED ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES AMONG WOMEN OF CHILD BEARING AGE

ABSTRACT

Using various contraceptive techniques can help prevent unwanted pregnancy and risky abortion. The goal of this study was to look into the availability, usage, abuse, and effects of combined oral contraceptives among women of childbearing age. To adequately study this, the health belief model was used. The survey used 250 respondents from a sample of 300. The structured close ended questionnaire was used to assess women’s awareness of the adverse effects of contraception use and how to handle contraceptive side effects in the Aluu local government area of Rivers State. The structured closed-ended questionnaire was used to collect information on the statement of level of knowledge and the management measure of contraceptive side effects. The questionnaire was subsequently distributed to 250 respondents in In Aluu LGA, Rivers State, using a purposive sample method. The findings from the respondents were reported as frequency and percentage. Finally, the respondent’s response pattern is consistent across most questions, showing a uniformity of view regarding their awareness and treatment of contraceptive side effects. In conclusion, the respondent’s response pattern is consistent across most questions, showing a uniformity of level of opinion regarding their awareness and management of contraceptive side effects.

Chapter one

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Family planning and contraception are two important concerns that have been explored around the world. In the beginning, human cultures prioritised the birth of as many children as possible.

Today, however, few countries can afford this approach, leading in greater efforts to limit and manage their families’ birth rates, with Nigeria being no exception

. The detrimental effects of high reproduction rates on mothers and their children, as well as the benefits of fertility control, are widely documented (Dona et al., 2008).

The condition in Africa is as low as 25%, the lowest among developing regions worldwide (RAND, 1998; UNFPA, 2001). In West Africa, around 36% of women use contraception, with rates ranging from 22% in Mali to 26% in Togo, 32% in Burkina Faso, and 33% in Nigeria (Dona et al., 2008; UNDP, 2008).

In Nigeria, a country with several ethnic and religious groups, efforts by the Ministry of Health (MOH) and other organisations to promote contraceptive usage have resulted in a general increase over the previous two decades (Ann et al 2002; UNDP, 2008). The fertility rate has similarly decreased, from 6.4 percent in the 1970s to 4.4 percent in 2005 (UNDP, 2008).

Currently, it is estimated that 33% of married women in the country utilise contraception, despite the fact that 43% want to space their children and another 24% need to limit births.

The gap in the usage of family planning methods between urban and rural, as well as rich and poor, disadvantages many women in the most deprived areas (GSS, 2003).

Since 1960, the use of contraceptives has helped women worldwide avert around 400 million pregnancies, saving women’s lives from high-risk births.

Again, contraceptive methods serve as great prophylactics (disease preventers), with latex rubber and polyethylene condoms providing a barrier against STIs and HIV/AIDS infection, which are on the rise in the country (Harvey, 2000).

The primary interest here is the availability, usage, misuse, and effectiveness of combination contraceptives among women of childbearing age.

Despite the fact that contraceptives have emerged to prevent undesired pregnancies and, in some cases, STIs, most cultures do not completely accept their usage by women of childbearing age.