EFFECT OF FAMILY PLANNING SERVICES ON THE PSYCHOSOCIAL WELL-BEING OF PERSONS WITH HEARING IMPAIRMENT IN BUEA SUB-DIVISION

Abstract This study investigated the effect of family planning services on the psychosocial well-being of persons with hearing impairment in Buea Sub-Division, Cameroon. The study adopted a quasi-experimental research design, complemented by qualitative data, involving an experimental group and a control group. Twelve participants were involved in the family planning intervention assessment, with six assigned to each group. Data were collected through pre-test and post-test assessments of psychosocial well-being, complemented by participants' testimonies. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and independent-samples t-tests, while qualitative responses were examined thematically. Findings revealed no statistically significant differences in psychosocial well-being between the experimental and control groups at pre-test (p > .05). However, following the family planning counselling intervention, participants in the experimental group demonstrated significantly higher psychosocial well-being scores (M = 135.83) than those in the control group (M = 75.67), with a statistically significant overall difference (t = 7.608, p < .001). Significant improvements were observed across all six dimensions of psychosocial well-being, particularly environmental mastery, positive interpersonal relationships, autonomy and self-acceptance. Qualitative findings further revealed improved reproductive health knowledge, increased self-confidence, reduced fear, enhanced communication with partners and greater autonomy in reproductive decision-making. The study concluded that accessible family planning counselling significantly improves the psychosocial well-being of persons with hearing impairment. It recommended integrating disability-inclusive family planning counselling, qualified sign language interpretation and psychosocial support into reproductive healthcare services to promote equitable access, reproductive autonomy and psychological well-being. Keywords Family Planning ServicesPsychosocial Well-BeingHearing ImpairmentReproductive Health CounsellingQuasi-Experimental DesignBuea Municipality