Project Abstract

Abstract
Family planning is a crucial aspect of reproductive health and overall family well-being. While much emphasis has been placed on women's involvement in family planning decisions and practices, the attitude of men towards family planning is equally important. This research project aims to explore the attitude of men towards family planning and its implications for their involvement in the decision-making process. The study will be conducted through a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods. A survey questionnaire will be administered to a sample of men from diverse socio-economic backgrounds to gather data on their attitudes towards family planning. In-depth interviews will also be conducted with a subset of the participants to gain a deeper understanding of their perspectives and experiences. The findings of this research will provide valuable insights into the factors that influence men's attitudes towards family planning. Cultural norms, religious beliefs, education level, and access to information and services are some of the factors that are expected to play a significant role in shaping men's views on family planning. Understanding these factors is essential for designing effective interventions aimed at increasing men's involvement in family planning decisions. The implications of men's attitudes towards family planning are far-reaching. When men are supportive of family planning, they are more likely to actively participate in decision-making processes related to contraception use, family size, and spacing of children. This, in turn, can lead to better communication and cooperation between partners, ultimately contributing to improved family well-being. However, negative attitudes towards family planning among men can hinder women's access to contraception and reproductive health services. It can also perpetuate gender inequalities within the household and society at large. By addressing and changing these attitudes, policymakers and healthcare providers can promote gender equity and empower both men and women to make informed decisions about their reproductive health. In conclusion, understanding the attitude of men towards family planning is essential for promoting their involvement in decision-making processes related to reproductive health. By addressing the factors that shape men's attitudes and designing targeted interventions, we can create a more supportive environment for family planning and contribute to the overall well-being of individuals, families, and communities.

Project Overview

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY The issue of family planning all over the world has attracted attention due to it important in decision making about population growth and development issues. Uncontrolled birth is a major contributing factor of an increase in the world’s population, particularly in Nigeria. Statistics shows that the population of the world was about one billion in 1859 in 1930, the population had doubled (two billion) in 1976, the total population was said to be four billion. Today, it is more than six billion, with Nigeria having a population of over 162 million, thus being the largest country in Africa and the 7th in the world map (United States Census Buxau, 2010). Life is a precious gift that every individual hunger for and in an attempt to grab this gift, our health must be maintained. There are so many problems that have been found to result from poor family planning method. Some of these problems include: Over population, criminal abortion, child dumping, increased child morbidity and mortality, as well as increases material morbidity and mortality rates. Over population as one of the consequences of poor family planning has succeeded in causing a lot of harm to individuals, families, society and the nation at large. Maternal mortality and child mortality have been found to occur due to poor family planning practice, according to the statement of the WHO (World Health Organization) and United Nation Education, Scientific Children’s Organization (UNESCO) in 1991) that over three million children and two hundred thousand women die each year and also women’s health and action research (2004) had showed rates of child and maternal mortality and morbidity rate in the world due to poor altitude towards Ante-natal care in which family planning is one of the objectives. The President of Nigeria, his Excellency, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan was quoted in Vanguard newspaper on June 28, 2012saying “Nigeria families should have only the children they can afford. To ensure this order was followed , a new planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria (PPFN) was created. He said it may be time for birth control legislation. Family planning, until recently, a very sensitive subject in Africa, is now very increasingly accepted as a necessary ingredient of socio-economic development. It is now thought to be an important health measure that contributes to the health of parents, children and the entire nation. Because of the great effect over population has on socio-economic status, education and health in general, a full understanding of this phenomenon and the major factors governing it are essential, thus the need to adopt family as a means of checking the escalating birthrate cannot be over emphasized. Unfortunately, this idea is not adequately emphasized on, especially in the rural areas, where it was observed that they g=have a high regard for large families and children are seen as a blessing from God. They believed that the more children a man has, the more hands to help with work especially on the farm. It is also believed that children give status to a women and security in old age. In Oghara-efe Community in Delta State, it was observed that husband often make sexual demands with little or no consideration for material health and the children’s survival. They compound their wives potential mortality rate by either not allowing her to seek family planning, advice or will not seek it as a collection responsibility. This present mentality in Oghara-efe community and its consequent socio-economic, educational and health effect on the villagers makes it important for this study to be carried out.