Knowledge, attitude and practice of family planning in rural communities in Nigeria

Maternal and infant mortality rates, coupled with a high population growth rate, are unacceptably high in Nigeria. More recently, the Nigerian government endorsed the promotion of reproductive health, including family planning, through maternal and child health services. The Ohaozara Local Government Area (LGA) introduced a Five-Year Action Plan (FYAP) in 1989. To appraise the Ohaozara Five-Year Action Plan, 600 persons stratified by geographical location and sex were interviewed in three randomly selected autonomous communities in the Ohaozara Local Government Area to determine their knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP). The findings in this study showed a high awareness level with a moderately positive attitude and generally low level of practice. Comprehensive reproductive health education (RHE), budgetary increase, evaluation of FYAP, and program coordination are recommended.