FACTORS INFLUENCING THE CHOICE OF CONTRACEPTIVES AMONG WOMEN AT A SPECIALIST HOSPITAL, SOKOTO-NIGERIA

ABSTRACT Contraceptive choices that couples make is a key component of the Sustainable Development Goal agenda and a major contributor to national health. In spite of the importance of increased contraceptive uptake among couples of reproductive age, meeting the reproductive health rights of women remains an issue due to multi-faceted obstacles within complex environments. The issues which impact women’s reproductive health rights in relation to contraception relate to availability, accessibility, affordability, literacy, tradition, and culture. This study describe the factors which influence the choice of contraceptives among women who are accessing family planning services at a Specialist hospital, Sokoto-Nigeria. A cross sectional study was used in this quantitative research to generate data on contraceptive choices of women within the reproductive age (18-49 years) who are accessing family planning services at Specialist hospital, Sokoto. A structured questionnaire was used to elicit information from 352 respondents who were randomly sampled at a Specialist hospital, Sokoto-Nigeria. Data was analysed using SPSS version 20.0 for the descriptive data to meet the study objectives. Descriptive statistics, a Chi-Square test was used in the data analyses to check the association of the two variables. Logistic regression was also used to investigate the association of the study’s independent variables. The result of the study indicated that knowledge of the study participants, occupation, personal factors, cultural norms and decision making are all significant factors that influence the choice of contraceptives among the women accessing family planning unit of Specialist Hospital Sokoto. It is anticipated that the findings of this research will serve as basis for policy makers to intensify efforts on the education of women on family planning towards increased utilization of services. It is expected that collaborative efforts between families, health care providers, community members and stakeholders will be established to address personal, economic and socio-cultural barriers to family planning services and women’s right to family planning choices