ASSESSING KNOWLEDGE AND UTILIZATION OF FAMILY PLANNING AS TOOL FOR POPULATION CONTROL IN QUA'AN PAN LGA, PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract Nigeria is witnessing an unprecedented population growth and family planning has been established a reliable tool for population control. This study assessed family planning practice in Qua’an-pan LGA of Plateau State. It analyzed couples' awareness levels towards the practice of family planning and the factors that influence contraceptive use. Using a structured questionnaire, the study adopted a survey research method. Multistage sampling technique was employed in the selection of 240 couples from the 8 Districts of Qua'an Pan LGA. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the responses, while Chi-square test was applied to test the hypothesis formulated. Results revealed that the awareness level of couples towards family planning was high (95%), however the utilization rate is 58%. Although couples generally have positive attitudes towards family planning, factors predictive of family planning are cultural and religious. Interventions in areas of sensitization and the provision of infrastructure such as schools and clinics are needed to transform existing awareness into information centers for education on family planning. Campaigns targeting individual couples through churches, mosques and cultural centers should be intensified on family planning for the benefit of all citizens.