ABSTRACT
Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice of family planning was carried out on married women in Offa Town, between a reproductive are group of 15 - 45 from 2n*- 27,h September 2000. METHOD Two Stage sampling, proportion sample unit, and random sampling were used depending on the stages. DEMOGRAPHY: Age - group 15-45 was used. The modal class of the respondents was 26 -30 years - 24.5%. 89% of he respondents were Yoruba while the other ethnic-group made of 11%. By their religion affiliation, 74.8% were Muslim and 25.2% were Christians. Literacy level was high. 69% of respondents were literate. Primary education, secondary and post secondary education were 27.5%, 28.5% and 11.7% respectively. KNOWLEDGE: 74% of respondents knew that family planning would prevent further birth after they had completed their family while 6.75% did not know. About 70% of respondents know at least three modern-methods of contraception - Oral pills, (1.U..C.D) Intra Uterine Contraceptive devices, Injection and Condom. ATTITUDE 65.75% of respondents approved and 33.25% disapprove use of contraception. The major favoured reason for approval is for child spacing -59.1%. 49.5% of respondents favour few birth (1-3 children) while 51.5% favour large births (more than 4 children).. PRACTICE The percentages of ever-use was 35.8% and current users was 26%. Some of the reasons militating against using a method were rumour; mis information and exaggeration of side effect of contraception which is far from the truth. CONCLUSION Since majority favour large family size and use family planning mainly for child spacing and not to limit birth. Family planning may not have a remarkable effect on the rapidly growing population but would help reduce infant and material mortality rate. RECOMMENDATION I recommend that women status should be improved. Strategies need to be made to bridge the communication barrier between Family Planning providers, religion leader, Community leader and users. Terminology like reproductive health and child spacing will be a better term than us of contraception. Retraining of service providers is very important. Adequate provision of family planning supplies and services would go along way to improve utilization of services. Government need to embark on programme that would discourage desired for more children if reduction in fertility is to be achieved and promote gender equity.