Evaluation of the offer of family planning services in a rural area of the Bamboutos division in the west region of Cameroon: a cross sectional study

Background and aim. The rate of utilization of contraceptive methods in Cameroon is low. The western region has a high fecundicity index and among the women in union using any contraception (30.2%), only 32.5% of them are using a modern method. This study aimed at improving the offer of family planning (FP) services by identifying factors limiting its expansion. Methods. We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study from 1st January to 31st December 2011 in the Bamboutous health district of the West region of Cameroon. We included exhaustively public and private health institutions. The characteristics of health institutions, providers and various FP services offered were obtained from registers and interview of health care providers. Data was analyzed using Epi info software version 3.5.1. Results. Of the 68 health facilities in the Bamboutous health district, 25 (36.8%) offered FP services. Among them, 18 were public (72%), 21(84%) had been existing for over 5-years period and the service offer was integrated (88%). There was often no pipe-borne water (72%). Eighteen of 25 FP institutions had no personnel who had ever received any formal training in FP (72%). Unmet contraceptive need was estimated at 34.7%. The different contraceptive methods received by women were more often injectables (37.3%) and implants (12.6%). Male condom represents 30.8%. Conclusion. The health services in the Bamboutous division are poorly furnished with FP activities in spite of met-needs of 65.3%. Improving on the service offer for FP as well as the training of health care providers is highly recommended

Family Planning and its Implications

Background: Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest average fertility rate in the world. In 2009; the average number of births per woman was 5.1-more than twice as many as in South Asia (2.8) or Latin America and the Caribbean (2.2) [1]. More than 100 million women in less developed countries; or about 17 percent of all married women; would prefer to avoid a pregnancy but are not using any form of family planning.[4].Currently; approximately 24.8 percent of African women have unmet needs for family planning; this simply means 24.8 million women of reproductive age who prefer to avoid or postpone childbearing are not using any method of contraception.[5] .Objective: To make a review of trends of family planning practice in Sub Saharan Africa from 1980 to 2010 among women of reproductive age.Methodology: Meta-analysis of detailed literature by authors of articles published since 1980 from various sources; including Demographic Health Survey of 1990 to 1995 and 2000 to 2005; and of the current 2010 from Sub-Saharan Africa such as SDHS and TDHS; and observation on relationship between family planning use and fertility in Africa. Findings: An analysis of fertility trends in 23 countries of Sub-Saharan Africa from 1980 to 1995 showed that in two-thirds of the countries there was evidence of fertility decline; with a particularly rapid decline in Kenya and Zimbabwe[7].Furthermore 2010 statistics show the African total fertility rate to be standing at 4.7. These rates reflect contraceptive prevalence of these specific regions.Generally in all world regions; contraceptive use corresponds with fertility patterns.[12;13]. In regions where contraceptive use is widespread; fertility is low but in regions where contraceptive use is uncommon; fertility is high.[14;15]Conclusion: The paper has shown that the high fertility pattern in Africa is among others; a result of the ineffectiveness of family planning programs.Recomendation: The overall low rate of contraceptive prevalence and high unmet need for family planning suggests the need for African national governments and population policy makers to rethink access to contraceptives

Factors Influencing Utilization of Modern Family Planning Service 37-42Among Women of Child Bearing Age (15-49 Years) in the University of Calabar Hospital; Calabar

This study investigated factors influencing utilization of modern family planning services among women of childbearing age (15-49 years) in the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital; Calabar. Three research questions and three hypotheses were formulated. Descriptive survey design was adopted for it. Using accidental sampling technique; 150 women of childbearing age were selected to constitute the sample. Data were collected using a 22-item questionnaire while data collected were subjected to statistical analysis using percentages and contingency Chi-square. Results obtained indicated that religious background of the women significantly relates to utilization of modern family planning services; (P0.05;df3; critical x2 value Key Words: Factors; Utilization; Family Planning; Women of Child Bearing Age

Factors Related to the Uptake of Natural Family Planning by Clients of Catholic Health Units in Masaka Diocese; Uganda

Globally and locally in Uganda; family planning (FP) is promoted to enable individuals and couples to space and limit childbirth. FP promotion is based on demographic and health concerns and basic human rights. Clients can use either artificial family planning (AFP) or natural family planning (NFP) methods but none is 100effective. Whereas NFP methods are known to be free from side effects; with no continuous costs; and widely accepted by most religions and cultures; most clients use AFP methods despite their many side effects and costs. The Roman Catholic Church (RCC) opposes AFP methods on fundamental grounds such as the definition of the onset of life and the purpose of sexual union. Additional reasons fronted by the church include the potential misuse of AFP methods and the false sense of security they impart to the users. This study set out to find out how health services under the RCC promote the use of NFP methods in an area of heavy RCC presence; and how these efforts translate into uptake of the methods. It shows that despite the recommendation of NFP methods; RCC health units did not have staff trained in promoting and offering NFP methods. There were no budgets; supplies; registers; teaching AIDS; and no records of NFP clients were kept. No space for NFP clinics was provided and there was no arrangement for continuous professional education (CPE) for NFP providers. Basic knowledge about NFP e.g. the role of breastfeeding and periodic abstinence was acquired from friends. Knowledge about NFP methods was insufficient among clients to the services and in some health workers. Most of the respondents; of which 76( 154/202) were Catholics had more information about AFP methods and knew where to access them. The study recommends that RCC authorities in Uganda; as the main champions of NFP; need to provide political commitment to NFP; invest more in and reinvigorate the teaching of NFP methods through their structures. In addition; there is need for support supervision on NFP access and use within RCC health facilities