ASSESSMENT OF MEN’S ROLE AND ATTITUDE TOWARDS FAMILY PLANNING IN KEFFI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, NASARAWA STATE

In recognition of men’s influence on family life decision and action, and the family planning needs of men, family planning programs are encouraged to involve men. The role of men in such matters is of great importance because decision-makers in vast majority of the Nigerian families are males. Their awareness and knowledge are essential prerequisites for taking correct decision at the right time. Therefore, the study was conducted in keffi Local Government Area to assess men’s role, attitude and perception towards family planning. Community based study was conducted in 10 neighbourhood using systematic random sampling to select the study area. Structured questionnaires was used to collect information from people involving 70% of males respondents. A total of 185 questionnaires were distributed, results were presented in the form of frequency tables, percentages, charts and chi-square analysis. Age range was between 15 and 41 (+) years. The findings reveals that more than half of the respondents have primary and secondary education, followed by OND/NCE and adult literacy respectively. A greater proportion of the respondents were applicant and business highest income level ranging between 26,000 – 35,000, inspite of high knowledge of family planning, only 114 out of 185 respondents are currently practicing it. Ever use of family planning by respondents was slightly higher than current use, with high attitude towards contraceptives pills and condoms frequently used methods among respondents. The chi square analysis (X2) = 81.36 revealed a significant association between educational attainment and knowledge of family planning, age, religion, income having statistically significant relationship with perception towards family planning.