KNOWLEDGE, PERCEPTION AND UTILISATION OF SELECTED PREVENTIVE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH SERVICES AMONG WOMEN IN LAPAI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF NIGER STATE

This study investigates the socio-demographic characteristics and RH knowledge, awareness, and service Utilisation among women in the Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State. The study considered variables such as age, education level, monthly income, marital status, employment status, religion, and ethnicity. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select study participants (sample size =328). Two research questions and hypotheses were developed and answered and tested at .05 level of significance. A structured questionnaire was administered through face-to-face interviews, interpreted using frequency tables, graphs, means and standard deviations, relationship between variable was measured using chi-square. Data entry and analysis was done using SPSS version 25.0. The age ranged from under 18 to 49 years, with the highest representation (42.1%) in the 18-24 age groups. Most respondents (75%) had tertiary education, while 45.1% earned less than N20,000 monthly. A significant portion of respondents were single (59.8%), and a majority practiced Islam (68.6%), with Nupe being the predominant ethnicity (45.1%). Significant relationships (α=13.132; p=0.00) were found between age and general knowledge of RH diseases, and attitudes towards RH services (α =11.321; p=0.00). There is no significant association between knowledge of preventable reproductive measures (α=3.355; p=0.449). Educational level, income (α=12.04; p=0.055), and marital status (p=0.053) were also significantly associated with knowledge and attitudes towards RH services. The study discovered among others the factors influencing attitudes towards RH services included education level, income, marital status, and cultural norms. It was recommended, among other things, that the quality educational attainment, good income level will improve better knowledge and Utilisation of RH services. Government should provide good cultural sensitive education programs and inclusive policy initiatives for equitable access to preventive health services.