Family Planning as an Agent of Population Reduction of the Increasing Population

Family Planning as an Agent of Population Reduction of the Increasing Population

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this project work was to identify how family planning is an agent of population reduction of the increasing population of Nigeria in Ovia North East Local Government Area using some selected communities as a case study. In the course of this study, the following research questions were developed:

How profound is your knowledge I the issue of family planning?

Is the general public still ignorant of the issue of family planning in this modern world?

What are the effects or barriers of family planning to society and ourselves?

Does family planning have any barriers for women?

Has there been any proper awareness of the use of family planning in Ovia North East Local Government Area?

Does the government have a role to play in the issue of family planning?

A total of eighty (80) questionnaires were administered to the target audience. To test the research questions using the questionnaire, analysis of data obtained in the field was done through simple percentages, although people agreed that they are aware of family planning. However, based on these findings, it was therefore concluded that something should be done to help the program achieve its aims, based on the findings, adequate recommendations were made.

TABLE OF CONTENT

CHAPTER ONE

Introduction

Statement of problems

Purpose of study

Significance of the study

Limitation

Scope of the study

Definition of terms

CHAPTER TWO

Literature review

CHAPTER THREE

Research design

Population

Description of sample selection

Research instrument

Pilot study

Validation of instrument

Administration of instrument

Method of data analysis

Interview with students

Chapter Four

Data Presentation and Analysis

CHAPTER FIVE

Summary

Recommendations

Conclusion

REFERENCES

QUESTIONNAIRE

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Family planning has been a common problem in the developing countries in the world, due to the lack of family planning the population of the developing countries using Nigeria as a typical example when unchecked increases geometrically. The lack of family planning which led to an increase in Nigeria’s population is a result of a lack of women’s education, poverty, etc.

It is a common observation to everybody that what we often say is a blessing could turn to be a curse as in the case of the increasing population of a country. The only way this can be prevented is through the use of birth control or family planning and this is one of the major ways in which Nigeria’s population can be reduced. One question that always comes to my mind is that if fertility is not controlled and it grows beyond its carrying capacity, then there will be a huge problem in population control, as we all know population is a problem for a country, especially the developing countries. The above-mentioned facts have led the researcher into the topic; of family planning as an agent of reduction of the increasing population in Nigeria, a case study of Ovia North East Local Government Area.

It is important to know that whatsoever happens in any society always begins in the family. However, another question that can come to mind is this. What is family planning? Though many authors have defined it variously. Family planning is defined as a process whereby parents or couples have their children by choice and not by chance by this we mean that couples can control the number of children they want and when they want them. Though more people use family planning than ever before. More than half of the couples in developing countries use family planning today compared with 10% in the 1960s. This dramatic increase in family planning use has caused fertility to decline much more rapidly in developing countries and if this is achieved it can lead to the attainment of the optimal population which is the best type of population in both developed countries and developing countries.

Family planning helps save women and children’s lives and preserves their health by preventing untimely and unwanted pregnancies reducing women’s exposure to the health risk of childbirth and abortion and giving women who are often the sole caregivers more time to care for their children. As countries have modernized and become more urban women have achieved higher levels of education and have begun to marry late. Couples want fewer children. The growing availability of modern family planning methods through the use of contraceptives such as pills, injections, intrauterine devices, sterilization, etc, has made it possible for women and couples to space the births of their children and it has made it possible to have fewer children and this has helped and will continue to help to reduce the over-population rate of Nigeria.

1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Over a long period, the issue of family planning has been neglected because so many believe that children are blessed by God and children are to be given birth by chance and not by choice which is the opposite of family planning, and this has an effect on the Nigeria population.

Hence this research work is carried out to know if the people are still in the shadow of ignorance over the facts of family planning through the data collected and also to enlighten the populace of the importance, the harmlessness of proper family planning to society and oneself.

1.3 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The general purpose of this study is;

To enlighten the public on the meaning of family planning.

To examine the family planning facilities available

To examine the benefit of family planning to Nigeria as a country oneself.

To identify the barriers attached to the use of family planning.

1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The findings of this study will be immensely important to all those connected with family planning control most especially health workers. Information gathered from this project will help educate illiterate couples and also the literate couples, it will also give the general public the importance of family planning in society.

The researcher will want to carry out further research into this project topic. The information available from this project will add to the pool of data or ideas to be used in planning and developing the general public.

1.5 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. How profound is your knowledge of the issue of family planning?

2. Is the general public still ignorant of the issue of family planning in the modern world?

3. What are the effect or barriers of family planning to society and ourselves?

4. Does family planning has any barriers for women?

5. has there been proper awareness of the use of family planning in Ovia North East Local Government Area?

6. Does the government have a role to play in the issue of family planning?

1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The focus and coverage of the research work are on the Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State. It examines the significance of family planning as an agent of population reduction in Nigeria. The research selected the following communities for the study;

Ugbowo, Ekiadolor Oluku Iguosa and Idowina. All in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State.

1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Family Planning: It can be defined as a situation whereby couples decide to have their children by choice and not by chance.

Agent: In this context, agent means a force that causes a change.

Contraceptive: A device or drug serving to prevent pregnancy.

Population: Is the total number of people who live in a particular area, city, or country.

Control: The power to make decisions about how a country area, an organization is run.

Increasing: To make greater in amount or value.