Thesis Abstract

Abstract
This research aims to explore the attitudes of men towards family planning and the implications for their involvement in decision-making and contraceptive use within the family. The study will investigate various factors influencing men's attitudes towards family planning, including cultural norms, social beliefs, education level, and access to information and services. By understanding men's perspectives on family planning, this research seeks to highlight the importance of male involvement in reproductive health and its potential benefits for the well-being of both partners and their families. The research will employ a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews to gather comprehensive data on men's attitudes towards family planning. The quantitative surveys will assess men's knowledge of contraceptive methods, their attitudes towards family size, and their willingness to participate in family planning decisions. The qualitative interviews will provide deeper insights into the underlying reasons for men's attitudes and explore potential barriers to their involvement in family planning. The findings of this research are expected to contribute to the existing literature on family planning and gender dynamics within relationships. By shedding light on men's perspectives, the study aims to inform programs and policies that promote male involvement in family planning and reproductive health services. Recognizing men as important stakeholders in family planning initiatives can lead to more effective interventions that address the needs and preferences of both men and women. The implications of this research extend to the broader context of gender equality and women's empowerment. Engaging men in family planning not only promotes shared decision-making and communication within relationships but also supports women's reproductive rights and autonomy. By involving men in discussions around family planning, societies can work towards creating more equitable and healthy family structures that benefit individuals, families, and communities as a whole. In conclusion, understanding the attitudes of men towards family planning is crucial for promoting their involvement in reproductive health decision-making. This research seeks to illuminate the factors shaping men's perspectives on family planning and advocate for their active participation in discussions and actions related to contraceptive use and family size. By recognizing men as key partners in family planning, we can move towards more inclusive and effective strategies that support the reproductive health and well-being of all individuals.

Thesis Overview

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY The issue of family planning all over the world has attracted attention due to it important in decision making about population growth and development issues. Uncontrolled birth is a major contributing factor of an increase in the world’s population, particularly in Nigeria. Statistics shows that the population of the world was about one billion in 1859 in 1930, the population had doubled (two billion) in 1976, the total population was said to be four billion. Today, it is more than six billion, with Nigeria having a population of over 162 million, thus being the largest country in Africa and the 7th in the world map (United States Census Buxau, 2010). Life is a precious gift that every individual hunger for and in an attempt to grab this gift, our health must be maintained. There are so many problems that have been found to result from poor family planning method. Some of these problems include: Over population, criminal abortion, child dumping, increased child morbidity and mortality, as well as increases material morbidity and mortality rates. Over population as one of the consequences of poor family planning has succeeded in causing a lot of harm to individuals, families, society and the nation at large. Maternal mortality and child mortality have been found to occur due to poor family planning practice, according to the statement of the WHO (World Health Organization) and United Nation Education, Scientific Children’s Organization (UNESCO) in 1991) that over three million children and two hundred thousand women die each year and also women’s health and action research (2004) had showed rates of child and maternal mortality and morbidity rate in the world due to poor altitude towards Ante-natal care in which family planning is one of the objectives. The President of Nigeria, his Excellency, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan was quoted in Vanguard newspaper on June 28, 2012saying “Nigeria families should have only the children they can afford. To ensure this order was followed , a new planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria (PPFN) was created. He said it may be time for birth control legislation. Family planning, until recently, a very sensitive subject in Africa, is now very increasingly accepted as a necessary ingredient of socio-economic development. It is now thought to be an important health measure that contributes to the health of parents, children and the entire nation. Because of the great effect over population has on socio-economic status, education and health in general, a full understanding of this phenomenon and the major factors governing it are essential, thus the need to adopt family as a means of checking the escalating birthrate cannot be over emphasized. Unfortunately, this idea is not adequately emphasized on, especially in the rural areas, where it was observed that they g=have a high regard for large families and children are seen as a blessing from God. They believed that the more children a man has, the more hands to help with work especially on the farm. It is also believed that children give status to a women and security in old age. In Oghara-efe Community in Delta State, it was observed that husband often make sexual demands with little or no consideration for material health and the children’s survival. They compound their wives potential mortality rate by either not allowing her to seek family planning, advice or will not seek it as a collection responsibility. This present mentality in Oghara-efe community and its consequent socio-economic, educational and health effect on the villagers makes it important for this study to be carried out.