Knowledge, Attitude and Factors Limiting Family Planning Practices among Women of Child Bearing Age in the Molyko Health Area-Buea, Cameroon
Authors: VEA* Eta , AL Eyere , gi Lui 
Published: August 2024

Background: The slow increase in the proportion of contraceptive use despite the availability of a wide range of contraceptive methods accounts for the continuous unacceptably high Maternal Mortality Rates (MMR) in Cameroon. The birth of babies at intervals less than two years also contributes to high MMR. Some factors have been found to influence the practice of family planning. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and attitude of women of child-bearing age (WOCBA) towards family planning and to identify factors that limit family planning practices in the Molyko Health Area (MHA). Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study design was used to investigate knowledge and attitude towards family planning and identify factors that limit family planning practices. Purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used to select the study area and sites (quarters) respectively. The purposive sampling method was employed to select the study area, which was the MHA while the simple random sampling technique was used to select seven out of the 12 quarters in the MHA. The participants were enrolled from the seven quarters in the MHA. Participants were made up of 176 WOCBA (15-49years) who were enrolled by purposive and consecutive convenient sampling methods; two participants per household in the selected quarters. Only participants who gave their consent to participate in the study were included. Data was collected from May to June 2022 using a semi-structured pretested questionnaire. Based on the number of questions for each section, participants who scored 50% and more for the section on knowledge were said to be knowledgeable (good knowledge) while those who scored below 50% had poor knowledge (not knowledgeable). Similarly, those who scored 50% and above for the section on attitude were said to have positive (good) attitude while those who scored below 50% had negative (poor) attitude. Data collected was entered into Microsoft excel and analysed using SPSS version 26.0l. Descriptive statistic was used to describe study participants. Chi-square test was used to determine association between variables. Results: Out of the 176 participants, 10(5.7%) were disabled. Majority 106(62%) of the study participants had poor knowledge on family planning. Also, 150(87.7%) had poor attitude towards family planning. Most 94(55.5%) participants mentioned having used family planning services; among them, 20 (33.3%) reported that the non-supportive partner influenced their practices, 13(21.7%) said they stopped taking contraceptives due to non-effectiveness and 5(8.3%) said they had a fear of being judged. There was no association between marital status and knowledge level of the participants; however, there was an association between the level of knowledge and family planning practices (P=0.001). Conclusion: Most of the participants had poor knowledge and poor attitude towards family planning, which needs attention. The major factors that limit family planning practices were the lack of a supportive partner and fear of side effects. Adequate information about family planning services needs to be disseminated.