Full Project – Knowledge, attitude and practice of natural family planning among women of child bearing age among attending general outpatient department of General Hospital
Click here to Get this Complete Project Chapter 1-5
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
The “natural” in natural family planning does not refer to the naturalness of sexual abstinence nor is it intended to imply that taking one’s temperature is natural. It refers to the monitoring of natural physiological signs and symptoms to determine the fertile period. (William, 2003). An authentic Natural Family Planning (NFP) never interferes with the transmission of life. Its sincere openness to the will of God and respect for life is its most virtues according to (Wilson, 2003). According to Elaine and Hoehn, (2010) the oocyte is viable for 12 to 24hours after ovulation; the chance of pregnancy drops to almost zero the next day. Most sperm retain their fertilizing power for 24 to 48 hours after ejaculation. Consequently, for successful fertilization to occur, coitus must occur not more than two days before ovulation and no later than 24 hours after. From this knowledge of physiology, it can be deduced that a woman is fertile for about 100hours in a cycle. Why then should one continue to enslave oneself with artificial birth controls such as pills, implants, Depo-Provera, intra-uterine contraceptive device etc which are synthetic female hormones. According to Billings, (2010) these can cause about 150 chemical changes in women’s body. Artificial birth control also has serious side effects on the heart, brain, kidneys, blood vessel, increases chances of breast cancer, blood clot and permanent sterility as admitted by several manufacturers of these synthetic hormones.
It is essential to understand what is meant by Natural Family Planning (NFP) in order to realize what produces so many benefits to the marriage and individual woman’s life. In general, NFP is defined as methods for achieving or postponing pregnancy that are based on observations of natural occurring signs in the woman’s body that inform her of the fertile and infertile phases of her cycle with avoidance of intercourse during the fertile phase if pregnancy is to be avoided (Australian Council of Natural family Planning, 2011)
Fraser and Cooper, (2009) highlights many methods which NFP teaches and can be adopted and practiced by different people based on understanding and knowledge. These methods are calendar-based methods, Basal body temperature, lactation amenorrhea method and symptom-thermal method. Each of these methods has proven effective in their own way depending on accurate identification of the fertile time and modification of sexual behavior.
Sinai, Lundgren, Arévalo and Jennings, (2006) claimed that there was no clear profile of clients for whom Natural Family Planning methods would be in appropriate. It is worth remembering says Australian Council of NFP (2011) that no method of family planning is 100% effective. Modern method of NFP such as Sympto-thermal method is as effective as the oral contraceptive pills.
Choosing NFP is about sharing the responsibility to understand, accept and manage your fertility with your partner. By keeping a record of the cycles, interpreting the signs of fertility and making decisions concerning the timing of sexual intercourse, couple can either achieve or avoid pregnancy.
To ensure women’s right to a free choice in family planning. the World Health Organization, (2004) recommends that information related to family planning should include, at a minimum, the following for each method; effectiveness, correct use, mechanism of action, side effects, health risk and benefits reversibility and protection against sexually transmitted infection (STI) , knowledge about each of these aspect can have practical implications regarding acceptance and satisfaction with the chosen method as well as minimize user errors. It is also important to acknowledge that women have different preferences and can accordingly make a choice of the method best suiting their wishes.
The researcher through her observation has noted that the poor knowledge about NFP was as a result of the fact that many health care providers especially the nurses and midwifes who are very much closer to these women have not been following the WHO’s recommendation on the provision of adequate knowledge on each method of family planning. Some anecdotal story also confirmed that many Nurses will even tell the women seeking method of Natural Family Planning that NFP is difficult to practice and ineffective, most women were directly introduced to the artificial contraceptives with the information that any unusual signs and symptoms should be reported to them. This clearly shows that necessary information which should have help couple or women to make adequate and good decision was not provided.
In spite of all the benefit attached to NFP without a single adverse effect, it has been observed that NFP has received a cold embrace and practice. The above evidences prompted the researcher to assess the knowledge and practice of NFP women of child bearing age attending General outpatient department of General Hospital Ilorin.
1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
It is estimated that 2–3% of the world’s reproductive age population relies on periodic abstinence to avoid pregnancy. Wikipedia, (2006) In the United States, approximately 4% of women of reproductive age use Natural Family Planning (NFP) to avoid pregnancy. It is unclear says Stanford, Lemaire and Thurman, (1998) whether this low number is related to a lack of available information, women’s lack of interest, or other factors. Kobonga, Baboo and Mweembba, (2010) affirmed that the problem of low utilization of NFP is worldwide as evident by the contraceptive utilization for women in Zambiais at 30%, NFP being 1%.
The researcher through her keen observation and interactions with people understands that lack of knowledge of Natural Family Planning couples with misconceptions on the practice and effectiveness of NFP, as well as lack of adequate knowledge on the adverse effects of contraceptives especially hormonal types on women’s body were the source of poor knowledge altitude and practice of NFP.
This research will therefore assess the knowledge, altitude and practice of NFP among the women of child bearing age attending General outpatient department of General Hospital Ilorin.
1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The main objective is to examine the knowledge and practice of NFP among women of child bearing age attending General outpatient department of General Hospital Ilorin.
Specific objective is to
- To determine the level of knowledge of women of child bearing age attending General outpatient department of General Hospital Ilorin on Natural Family Planning.
- To determine the attitude of women of child bearing age attending General outpatient department of General Hospital Ilorin towards Natural Family Planning.
- To determine the level of practice of NFP among women of child bearing age attending General outpatient department of General Hospital Ilorin.
- To identify the methods of family planning used by women of child bearing age attending General outpatient department of General Hospital Ilorin
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
- How knowledgeable are women of child bearing age that are attending General outpatient department of General Hospital Ilorin on Natural Family Planning on natural family planning?
- What is the attitude of women of child bearing age attending General outpatient department of General Hospital Ilorin towards Natural Family Planning?
- What is the level of practice of natural family planning among women of child bearing age attending General outpatient department of General Hospital Ilorin?
- What are the identified methods of family planning used by women of child bearing age attending General outpatient department of General Hospital Ilorin?
1.5 SCOPE AND DELIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
The present study focus on the women of child bearing age attending General outpatient department of General Hospital Ilorin.
1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This study shall help to assess the level of knowledge of the child bearing age women on Natural Family Planning and to also find out their level of practice of Natural Family Planning.
The outcome of this study will be of great significance to help deal with the below situation
Medical team: It is also hope that the findings of this study will be useful for medical team as it will provide them with the subjects’ knowledge, attitude and practice of Natural Family Planning.
Researchers: It is also anticipated that the study will provide baseline information on which further studies can build on as there is a dearth of empirical studies on the area of focus.
Pregnancy complications can be minimized: Family planning helps protect women from any health risks that may occur before, during or after childbirth. These include high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, infections, miscarriage and stillbirth. According to studies, women who bear more than 4 children are at increased risk for maternal mortality, so they need to plan accordingly. Women who get pregnant after the age of 35 are vulnerable to health risks, so they should be protected through careful planning as well. Also, by reducing unintended pregnancies, family planning also removes the option for unsafe abortion.
Adolescent pregnancies can be reduced: Females who are 10-19 years old are more likely to have a preterm baby, or a baby that’s born before the 37 weeks of pregnancy have been completed. Also, a baby born to a teenage mother will have higher rates of neonatal mortality. Family planning and, more specifically, contraception, can protect teenagers from the physical, emotional and financial burden of unplanned pregnancy.
Infant mortality rates can be cut down: When a pregnancy is unplanned, ill-timed, or too closely spaced, it affects the mother’s health which, in turn, affects the health and safety of her unborn child. Moreover, an infant will have a greater risk of death and weak health if the mother dies while giving birth.
1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS
Knowledge: The idea an individual holds or had acquired on Natural Family Planning through experiences or education.
Attitude: – A settled way of thinking or feeling towards the use of Natural Family Planning.
Practice: – The actual application or utilization of natural family planning
Natural Family Planning: – Methods for preventing or postponing pregnancy that are based on observations of natural occurring signs in the woman’s body that inform her of the fertile and infertile phases of her cycle with avoidance of intercourse during the fertile phase if pregnancy is to be avoided.
Women of child bearing age: – Women who are still naturally capable of giving birth
Get the Complete Project
This is a premium project material and the complete research project plus questionnaires and references can be gotten at an affordable rate of N3,000 for Nigerian clients and $8 for international clients.
Click here to Get this Complete Project Chapter 1-5
You can also check other Research Project here:
- Accounting Research Project
- Adult Education
- Agricultural Science
- Banking & Finance
- Biblical Theology & CRS
- Biblical Theology and CRS
- Biology Education
- Business Administration
- Computer Engineering Project
- Computer Science 2
- Criminology Research Project
- Early Childhood Education
- Economic Education
- Education Research Project
- Educational Administration and Planning Research Project
- English
- English Education
- Entrepreneurship
- Environmental Sciences Research Project
- Guidance and Counselling Research Project
- History Education
- Human Kinetics and Health Education
- Management
- Maritime and Transportation
- Marketing
- Marketing Research Project 2
- Mass Communication
- Mathematics Education
- Medical Biochemistry Project
- Organizational Behaviour
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Public Administration
- Public Health Research Project
- More Research Project
- Transportation Management
- Nursing
Full Project – Knowledge, attitude and practice of natural family planning among women of child bearing age among attending general outpatient department of General Hospital