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INVOLVEMENT AND USE OF FAMILY PLANNING AMONG RELIGIOUS LEADERS IN A COMMUNITY IN SOUTH WEST NIGERIA

*A.G. Salaudeen, **L. O. Omokanye, ***M. F. Adeyemi, ****A. Ahmed, *H. A. Ameen, *O. I. Musa
*Department of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Ilorin **Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Ilorin *** Department of Surgery, University of Ilorin **** Department of Community Medicine and Primary Care, Federal Medical Centre Abeokuta
Corresponding Author: adekunlesalaudeen@yahoo.com; Tel: +2348036708106
Recieved Date: 2017; Accepted Date: 2017; Published Date: 2017
ABSTRACT

Introduction: There is growing recognition that religious leaders play an important role in shaping health seeking behaviour including family planning. The uptake of modern family planning methods in Nigeria is low and religious belief is one of the factors responsible. This study was designed to assess the Involvement and Use of family planning among religious leaders in a community in south west Nigeria. Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted with the use of interviewer administered questionnaire as research tool. Systematic sampling method was used to select the eligible respondents. A total of 100 religious leaders each from Christian and Islamic faith were involved in the study. The analysis of data was done by using SPSS Version 19. Result: The study revealed that 84.5% of respondents would support family planning use and 82.5% would encourage others to use family planning. Majority, 83% had ever used family planning and 67.5% were currently using one form of family planning or the other as at the time of the study. The major factors responsible for non-total acceptance of family planning were fear of side effects, fear of tampering with the nature, religious opposition to some of the existing modern family planning methods. Conclusion There is need to collaborate with religious leaders in social marketing of family planning for wide acceptance and uptake. This is necessary because they (religious leaders) are respected individuals in the community whom people, especially their followers, listen to and they have influence on their daily life activities, reproductive health inclusive.

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