Effect Of Family Planning And Birth Control On Poverty Level

EFFECT OF FAMILY PLANNING AND BIRTH CONTROL ON POVERTY LEVEL

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1  Background of Study

Unexpected or unplanned pregnancy poses a major public health challenge in women of reproductive age, especially in developing countries. The rising rate of premarital sexual activity in developing(Nigeria) countries has drawn attention of experts regarding adolescent’s decisions about various aspects of reproductive health behavior. In this regard, concerns have been raised about the adverse effects of early childbearing and pregnancy, particularly for unmarried adolescents within the age range of the risks of contracting sexually transmitted diseases. This has given rise to a renewed interest in the sexual behavior of women among child bearing age. women of that age as used in this study refers to persons aged 14 and above years.

In parts of developing countries, adolescents and women among this age grade are noted to have special sexual and reproductive health needs. As a result, many are often exposed to inaccurate or incomplete information. It has been observed that many adolescents and women in recent times engage in unsafe sex which prompts the use of preventive measures, to avoid leading to an unplanned pregnancy. Situations of this nature call for contraceptive use in adolescence to be given special attention. Another important dimension is that women of child bearing ages have been noted to be sexually active yet; they rarely use contraceptives due to negative societal attitudes. As a consequence, a number of adolescents’ girls who get pregnant often drop out from school (if they are in school) and are unlikely. Many of them do not often have the social and economic means to raise their children.

The World Health Organization (WHO) have indicated approximately 12 million girls aged 15- 19 are at risk and also about 777,000 under 15years olds are pregnant or are already mothers, at least about 10 million unintended pregnancies occur each year amongst these group of women.  Looking at this categorically, this is no way a country would grow or produce better and more productive citizens. The above statistics only increases the number of unemployment and the poverty level of a State.

Surprisingly, 69.0% of births to this category are either unwanted or mistimed. Northern region of Nigeria has the highest total fertility rate of 6.8 children per woman, and the contribution of adolescents to these rates cannot be over looked. If young people and women of child bearing age continue to experiment with sex and yet fail to use contraceptives, the likelihood of many of them becoming pregnant with no means or plan to take care of the babies wellbeing is very high. Such pregnancies may end up with ‘back street abortions, teenage childbearing, uncared and unloved children.

Contraceptive or birth control pills, use is a key factor in preventing unwanted pregnancies (Alano & Hanson 2018; Shukla et al. 2017), reducing maternal and child mortality as well as improving the lives of women and their families (Cleland et al. 2012).  A recent study estimated that contraceptive use could avert more than two-fifths of maternal deaths (Ahmed et al. 2012). Increased access to contraceptive services has been established as a cost-effective strategy for countries to reduce maternal and child mortality (Moreland & Talbird 2006). The benefits of contraceptive use go beyond the health sector. Providing unrestricted access to contraceptives will help ensure a reduction in unwanted pregnancies and thereby contribute to increased female education, women’s empowerment, poverty reduction and even environmental sustainability (Moreland & Talbird 2006).  The benefits of oral contraceptives to women is enormous, it does not only reduce morbidity and mortality caused by pelvic infection, gynecologic cancers, and harms related to menstrual cycle, but also increase bone density and treat emerging acne indications (Jensen & Speroff 2001; Tyrer 1999). It was reported that the risk of ovarian and endometrial malignancy, as well as ectopic pregnancy is reduced by 90% in Oral contraceptive users compared with women not using contraceptive pills (Dayal & Barnhart 2002; Drife, 1991). In a study conducted among two groups of patient, it was revealed that the use of contraceptive pills is recommended as pre-treatment for patients with endometriosis before ovarian stimulation, as it proffers advantages of lesser cost and enhanced embryo-quality, and does not influence pregnancy rates negatively when compared with those patients who do not undergo oral contraceptive pre-treatment.  Oral Contraceptives pill is used to reduce several health risks and improve several ailments in women, to mention a few; colorectal cancer, endometriosis, menorrhagia, ovarian cysts, rheumatoid arthritis, uterine leiomyoma’s, pelvic inflammatory disease, uterine fibroids, dysmenorrhea, premenstrual syndrome etc. As much as oral contraceptives have numerous health benefits, it could also pose as a disadvantage to the society and wellbeing in several ways, for examples; it encourages pre-marital sexual intercourse and thereby tarnish the societal religion and moral standard. It may cause clotting disorders in women, behavioral changes, long term usage can cause hormonal imbalance which may lead to severe complications, such as; brain malfunction, cervical or breast cancer, thrombosis and infertility.   However, when the advantages and disadvantages of oral contraceptive use are placed side by side, the advantages outweigh the risks involved.

Meanwhile, knowledge and awareness of the benefits of contraceptives and birth control pills use is in controversy among most women.  In a survey conducted among (2544) Two thousand, five hundred and forty-four European and American participants, 98% admitted awareness and current usage of contraceptive pills. This shows a high rate of awareness among the participants.  Similarly, mapped out researchers found that 95.2% of 800, 66.8% of 1, 200 and 84% of 500 respective participants have high knowledge of contraceptives and Birth control pills usage among Nigerian females.

1.2  Statements of Problems

Contraceptive use has been an area of concern to the Nigeria society, it’s good effects appears to be losing out, although the good effects are enormous.  The Nigerian Society has just been fashioned to emphasize more on the bad effects of birth Control pills and contraceptives.   The problem associated with the use of contraceptives and birth control pills can be linked to the age, the lower the age of the female involved in constant birth control pills the higher the mortality rate of the female involved. Another problem encountered s the cost of contraceptive, it was noticed that most females that engage in the taking of contraceptive pills such as Foams, Diaphragms, Jellies were from affluent homes and these pills were affordable to them, also most the women who preferred the Intra Uterine device made their choices, according the cost of the contraceptive method.

Meanwhile although the society marks a level of 26.6% (1.3m) level of unwanted pregnancy, this would have been protected and avoided if there was a proper of use of the numerous birth pills and contraceptives. Most Women find it difficult to work into a drug store, just for the sole aim of purchasing a pill that has been tagged an abomination in the society, every female of child bearing age should be made conversant with the pill and should have knowledge of preventing and unplanned pregnancy.  At the course of this project, it was discovered that most Nigerian Women resort to backyard abortion as the fastest remedy for the unplanned pregnancies.

However, it is against this background that this study seeks to determine the correlation and the socio-cultural factors that against the use of birth control pills amongst the women of childbearing age.

1.3  Objectives of Study

1. To examine the relationship between women’s age and birth control through family planning
2. To examine the relationship between women’s educational background and birth control through family planning
3. To examine the relationship between women’s location and birth control through family planning

1.4  Research Questions

1. What is the relationship between women’s age and birth control through family planning
2. What is the relationship between women’s educational background and birth control through family planning
3. What is the relationship between women’s location and birth control through family planning

1.5  Hypotheses 

1. There is no significant relationship between women’s age and birth control through family planning
2. There is no significant relationship between women’s educational background and birth control through family planning
3. There is no significant relationship between women’s location and birth control through family planning

1.6  Significance of the Study

Every viable research worked should be fashioned to suit into the demands or problems of the society, it should be able to point out the lapses in the society and also suggest possible solutions to it.

Every society has its lapses and short comings, and the problem of birth control pills and contraceptives is just a sector of the lapses, this paper should be able to point out possible solutions to the issue of incessant usage of birth pills, also being able to point out the several cultural factors that affects the usage of these pills among the female citizens.

1.7  Scope of the Study

1.8  Limitations of Study

The research was limited to the women folk, also not just women, but women of child bearing age, ranging from the age of 15 and above. It also centered around Nigeria, Questionnaires used to collect data had a ceiling effect and got to its point of saturation. Time, date and funds also affected and limited the course of the study.

RESEARCH MORE ON PROJECT TOPICS AND MATERIALS PORTALS ;birth control and poverty statistics,relationship between family planning and poverty,the effects of contraception on female poverty.,what is family planning,benefits of family planning in developing countries,how to eradicate poverty in the family,importance of family planning

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