Status And Determinant of Men's Knowledge Towards Family Planning Techniques in Nsit Atai Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract : This study investigates married men’s knowledge of family planning techniques and the demographic factors influencing their understanding and use of contraception in Nsit Atai Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Data was collected from 97 respondents through a structured questionnaire that covered their demographics, knowledge of family planning, and constraints to adoption. The sampling method involved simple random selection during church gatherings and visits to healthcare centers. Descriptive statistics and correlation analysis were used to analyze the data. The findings reveal that most respondents had high knowledge of barrier methods (e.g., condoms), with 80.4% reporting well-known awareness. However, awareness of other methods, like intrauterine devices (IUCDs) and sterilization, was lower, with only 32% and 37.1% reporting well-known knowledge, respectively. Significant factors influencing knowledge included age, marital duration, number of children, and the number of male children. The correlation analysis revealed strong relationships between knowledge and age (r = 0.503), and the number of male children (r = 0.630). Cultural and religious beliefs, especially among Christian respondents (82.5%), were key constraints to family planning adoption, with 19.3% citing fear of side effects and 17.2% thinking that contraception was only for women. The study also identified the influence of household size, with larger families showing less willingness to adopt family planning. The results underscore the importance of culturally tailored family planning education and improving access to family planning services. The study advocates for greater male involvement in reproductive health and community-driven awareness campaigns to overcome barriers to contraception use.