Factors influencing modern family planning acceptance in a family health programme area, Bagamoyo District, Tanzania

Abstract

The survey culminating in this thesis was carried out in a National Family Heal th Proj ect (NFHP) area, Bagamoyo district where a total of 240 randomly selected women of reproductive age, 15-49 years were studied. The low acceptance of the modern contraceptives in the district where modern family planning was a component of the proj ect (NFHP) prompted the study. A cross -sectional survey was therefore conducted with the aim of finding out the reasons for the low acceptance and so advice the bodies concerned accordingly. The study findings revealed that there were underlying, intermediate and immediate problems that accounted for the low acceptance of the modern methods of contraception. These problems were socio-demographic and socio-cultural in nature. Education and some of the modern planning aspects also contributed to the low acceptance of the methods. Offspring mortalities constituted the major socio-demographic characteristic which greatly affected modern contraception. Women with higher X1X numbers of offspring life losses tended to avoid the modern contraceptives which were feared to threaten fertility. Subsistence farming and low incomes were the major socio-economic aspects which accounted for the low acceptance of the MFP methods. Large families were necessary for farm work and hence modern contraception was not called for. The study findings also showed a great adherence to traditional family planning practice which discouraged the use of the modern methods. The traditional methods were considered non-hazardous to the users and did not threaten fertility in women. The traditional methods therefore, have been used for years and with time have become part and parcel of the community's culture. The modern methods however, were feared to cause infertility and so were avoided. Nonetheless, the study showed that with education and reduced offspring mortality modern family planning was likely to be accepted at higher rates