Contraceptive knowledge and practices in Ilorin, Nigeria: 1983-88.

ABSTRACT

This report describes changes in knowledge and use of contraceptives in Ilorin, Nigeria between 1983 and 1988, a period marked both by dramatic changes in Nigeria's economic climate, as a result of the decline in the value of oil exports, and by considerable increases in public programs aimed at promoting the use of family planning and reducing fertility. The report is based on the analysis of two surveys of married women aged 15-35 years who lived in the city of Ilorin. By 1988, knowledge of modern methods of contraception had become virtually universal in Ilorin, even among women with no education and among those living in the poorest areas of the city. Current use of contraceptives had also increased considerably since 1983, reaching prevalence rates of 15 percent among women with primary education, 20 percent among those with secondary education, and 40 percent among those with postsecondary education. Each of these groups of women experienced at least a doubling of contraceptive prevalence between 1983 and 1988. Although use among uneducated women was still low in absolute terms (prevalence of 4.5 percent), these women also experienced a substantial relative increase in use.

ABSTRACT

PIP Changes in knowledge and use of contraceptives in Ilorin, Nigeria between 1983 and 1988 are reported. During these 5 years there have been dramatic changes in economic climate, and much increase in public programs promoting family planning and reduced fertility. The results of a 1983 survey of married women aged 15-35 years show that while knowledge of contraceptive methods was high, current use was very low. Traditional birth spacing methods were declining, and fertility was very high. A 2nd survey similar to the 1983 survey, was undertaken in 1988 to look into fertility changes and its determinants including contraceptive knowledge and use, breastfeeding, and postpartum abstinence, and to improve understanding of reproductive behavior. The 1988 survey covers married women aged 15-49 and men currently married to women of these ages. Knowledge of contraception was almost universal among women with more than a primary education and in medium and high socioeconomic areas. The most dramatic increase took place in knowledge of the most effective contraceptives increased between 1983 and 1988. Large relative increases took place among those with no education, with ever-use increasing from 1.9% in 1983 to 9.7% in 1988. Among the women with no education, current use increased from 0.8% in 1983, to 4.5% in 1988. In the other 3 education classifications, use increased from 4.4% to 15.2% among those with a primary education; from 10.7% to 20.0% among those with a secondary education. The same pattern of substantial increase in shown when use is analyzed by area of residence. There was a shift to more effective methods in 1988. Most women 1st used contraceptives during the 5-year period, 1983-1988 and obtained their method from hospitals or clinics although some went to pharmacies.