CHAPTER ONE

Introduction

1.1   Background to the Study

The rapid growth of world population in recent times has received widespread attention especially in Africa where the highest crude-birth rates are found. The present population of Nigeria is between 90 and 100 million persons or perhaps even larger with the annual growth rate of 3.3 percent (Oni, 2006).

If the current population estimate is something to go by, much population analysis already regards Nigeria as being over populated. Based on the contest, the Federal Government recently formulated a policy on the nations population. These include management and control of our human population with guided skills, goals, policies, plans, programmes and projects for the improvement of human quality (Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria 2010).

We cannot dismiss as presumptuous the adverse effects of uncontrolled reproduction on women and such risk factors as childbirth before 18 years or after 35 years of age where as in the rich developed nations of the world, population growth rate has diminished as women and men have chosen to have fewer children, in developing nations like Nigeria, the growth rate remains high as only few couples limit the number of their children. Global and Regional Estimates of the Incidence of Unsafe Abortion and Associated Mortality in (2000) WHO (2004). This is probably because children are seen as the most valuable assets from God as such they are accepted whenever they come.

There is the concern that Natural resources are not unlimited and uncontrolled therefore, population growth may result in crisis, statistics which statistics central statistical Agency: ICF International (2006). Shows that majority of the world’s people are neither adequately fed nor housed. The sad reality is that people that are less able to care for their children are having more children than those who have the means to support them (Shuaib $ ï Oghdoh 2010).

There is a growing concern among individuals and nations alike, to limit their family size and population respectively. (Nelson, Tom $ Timothy,. Soc. Sc. 2011). There is the need for adequate nutrition, housing and better quality of life. Health policy and the strategic framework and plan in 2012 was a major step by the Federal Government to reduced the unacceptable high levels of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality and to ensure the necessary improvement in access to quality reproductive health services at all levels. One of the major steps to achieve the declared objectives of reproductive health policy is to promote access to information on family planning, encourage wider choices of contraceptives methods and to encourage the development of new initiatives that would support availability of commodities and supplies at the service delivery points. All the stakeholders believed that availability of commodities (contraceptives and condoms for (HIV/AIDS) is critical to the success of the reproductive health, population and HIV/AIDS programmes.

Therefore, in creating the necessary awareness for family planning, it is equally very vital to ensure a regular supply of the commodities at all levels.

Family Planning emerged as a population control measure. The services were initially provided by independent agencies and private individuals provide the services in Nigeria. There is growing acceptance of the fact that men and women need so that they can protect themselves and make informed decisions regarding their reproductive health Dwger J. C. (2002). Inspite of the advantages of family planning, rumours and misinformation about family planning are widespread. Despite the awareness resistance persists, some people fear that when young people are educated about sexuality, providing them with family planning information will lead to irresponsibility and promiscuity on the other hand. Women of child bearing age are reluctant to seek information or help from their family or professional settings. They therefore do not got the information they need. Olugbenga-Bello, Abodunrin $ Adeomi (2011).

Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria (2001) stated that experience of Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria in 34 states out of the 36 states of Nigeria shows that women are very poorly informed about reproductive health and family planning.

For centuries, family planning has been a thing of concern as people tried to find ways to prevent unwanted pregnancies. Attempts to prevent these pregnancies have met oppositions both in the ancient and modern times Ali, Rozi $ Mahmood (2004). However, several researchers had been carried out resulting in the emergence of different methods of family planning to meet the varying needs of individual users.