1.1 Introduction
Family planning services play a critical role in promoting reproductive health and empowering individuals to make informed choices about their reproductive futures. However, access to comprehensive family planning services remains uneven across regions and populations, leading to disparities in contraceptive use, unintended pregnancies, and maternal health outcomes. Bridging these gaps in family planning services is imperative to ensure universal access to reproductive health care and achieve global development goals such as those outlined in the Sustainable Development Agenda.
Family planning services encompass a range of interventions aimed at enabling individuals and couples to determine the number, timing, and spacing of their children. These services not only contribute to improved maternal and child health but also empower individuals, particularly women, to pursue education, employment, and economic opportunities (UNFPA, 2020). Despite the recognized benefits of family planning, numerous barriers impede access to services, particularly among marginalized populations. These barriers include limited availability of contraceptive methods, lack of trained providers, cultural and religious beliefs, gender inequalities, and socioeconomic disparities. (WHO, 2019)
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitation of the study and Definition of terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Family planning is nothing new in society; in fact, it has been practiced for so long in industrialized nations that many in less developed nations are unable to identify it. in the field of study, it was customary for a woman to send her newborn to her mother, who would care for him or her for a year or two. Her time with her mother was intended to be used for nursing the child before she returned to her husband. In this manner, natural child spacing occurred without being enjoyed. However, the clear issues of violence against both born and unborn children led to the invention of family planning in Nigeria. These reasons were based on child jumping that is a child that is unwanted can be dump into the street, gutter, mot, some are found in front of orphanage, bush part and to public toilet. In 1954, Adeniyi Jones established the first family planning centre in Nigeria she continues without support until 1969 when pathfinder provide fund to sustain the programme.
Fortunately for her in 1984 The family planning centre of Nigeria (FCN) was further organized for woman for better services. This include provision of family planning methods to improve maternal mortality and those with health risk 1989, president Ibrahim Babagida limited the number of children to 4 (four) per parent or couple, this programme was very good but could not be sustained because of poor service and management. in the word of Gribbe, J. (2008) cited in Mabel Oshomah work he opine that “family planning can be better explained as being a situation where people have children by choice and not by change”, to him the happiness of the family squarely depend on the number of children a family has to cater for.
According to World Health Organization (WHO) (2002) conceptive is a drug or device used to prevent woman from getting pregnant, this can sometimes be called birth control according to (FPA) Family Planning Association. It is discussed as a special device that prevents fertilization of egg in the ovum by special device used to limit reproduction, which provide a safe and effective way to regulate fertility of the womb. An individual, his spouse, and their offspring comprise a family. The guy plans and assigns resources to important areas that require improvement because he is the head of the family or household. Should Gribble, J. (2008) indicate that a family's contentment is associated with its size, a guy ought to choose a course of action that will not only enhance the family's well-being but also satisfy his ambition to support a family. He needs to take part in family planning since no man would rather spend his money on unsatisfactory education, amusement, or a decent and comfortable home for the family than on bills for medical care, child care, or sickness.
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to identify strategies for bridging the gaps in family planning services and promoting universal access to reproductive health care.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that there are numerous barriers hinder individuals' access to family planning services, including but not limited to, geographical remoteness, lack of trained healthcare providers, limited contraceptive method choice, cultural and religious beliefs, and financial constraints. These barriers disproportionately affect marginalized groups, perpetuating health inequities (Sedgh et al., 2016). Globally, millions of women continue to have an unmet need for modern contraception, indicating a lack of access to family planning services. This unmet need contributes to unintended pregnancies, maternal mortality, and other adverse health outcomes, particularly among disadvantaged populations (Bearak et al., 2020).
Additionally, there is limited access to family planning services has significant implications for reproductive health outcomes, including increased rates of unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and maternal and infant mortality. Addressing these gaps is essential for improving health outcomes and advancing global development goals related to health and gender equality (Alkema et al., 2020).
Furthermore, systemic inequities embedded within healthcare systems, including discriminatory practices, inadequate funding, and policy barriers; perpetuate disparities in access to family planning services. Addressing these systemic issues is crucial for ensuring equitable access to reproductive health care for all individuals (Starrs et al., 2018). Thus, the persistent gaps in access to family planning services represent a critical public health and human rights challenge. Addressing these gaps requires comprehensive strategies that acknowledge and dismantle barriers to access, promote gender equality, and prioritize the needs of marginalized populations.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to identify strategies and interventions to bridge gaps in family planning services, with the ultimate goal of improving access to and utilization of reproductive health care, reducing unmet need for contraception, and advancing reproductive rights globally. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To examine the impact of unmet need for contraception on reproductive health outcomes, including unintended pregnancies, and maternal mortality;
- To identify barriers and challenges hindering access to family planning services, including socioeconomic, cultural, and systemic factors;
- To assess the current status of access to family planning services at national, regional, and local levels;
- To explore effective interventions and best practices for expanding access to family planning services; and
- To provide recommendations and guidelines for policymakers, healthcare providers, and stakeholders to strengthen family planning services and address gaps in access.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- What is the impact of unmet need for contraception on reproductive health outcomes, including unintended pregnancies, and maternal mortality?
- What is the current status of access to family planning services at national, regional, and local levels?
- How effective is the interventions and best practices for expanding access to family planning services?
- What are the barriers and challenges hindering access to family planning services, including socioeconomic, cultural, and systemic factors?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
Hypothesis One
- H0: The implementation of integrated, community-centered interventions aimed at addressing both supply-side and demand-side factors will not lead to a significant reduction in unmet need for contraception and improved access to family planning services.
- H1: The implementation of integrated, community-centered interventions aimed at addressing both supply-side and demand-side factors will lead to a significant reduction in unmet need for contraception and improved access to family planning services.
1.7 Significance of Study
The findings of this research on family planning services will be significant in the following ways, which are stated as follows:
- Improving Reproductive Health Outcomes: Bridging gaps in family planning services is crucial for improving reproductive health outcomes, including reducing unintended pregnancies, maternal mortality, and unsafe abortions. By addressing unmet need for contraception and ensuring access to comprehensive reproductive health care, this study has the potential to positively impact the lives of millions of individuals worldwide.
- Advancing Gender Equality: Access to family planning services is closely linked to gender equality, as it empowers individuals, particularly women, to make autonomous decisions about their reproductive lives. By promoting gender-equitable access to family planning services, this study contributes to broader efforts to advance gender equality and women's empowerment.
- Fulfilling Reproductive Rights: Access to family planning services is recognized as a fundamental human right, as articulated in international agreements such as the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD). This study seeks to uphold individuals' reproductive rights by identifying barriers to access and advocating for policies and interventions that promote universal access to reproductive health care.
- Reducing Health Inequities: Disparities in access to family planning services contribute to health inequities, particularly among marginalized populations. By addressing barriers to access and promoting equity-focused interventions, this study aims to reduce health disparities and ensure that all individuals, regardless of socioeconomic status or geographic location, have equal access to essential reproductive health care.
- Informing Policy and Practice: The findings of this study have the potential to inform policy development and programmatic efforts aimed at strengthening family planning services globally. By providing evidence-based recommendations and best practices, this study can guide policymakers, healthcare providers, and stakeholders in designing and implementing effective interventions to bridge gaps in family planning services.
1.8 Scope of the Study
The scope of the research is focused on Bridging Gaps in Family Planning Services using Surulere Local Government Area of Lagos State as a case study.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research Material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
1.10 Definition of Terms
Family planning:
It refers to the practice of controlling the number of children rural women has and the interims between their births, mostly by means of contraception or voluntary sterilization so to improve family planning services and practices.
Factors:
They are elements that brings about certain effects or results and also what could cause rural women not to embrace family planning services
Methods:
They are procedures for accomplishing or approaching something or systematic way of involving women in rural area into family planning and established effectiveness of family planning.
Contraceptives:
This refers to the several family planning methods that are available for use in controlling birth example; oral contraceptive pill, intrauterine contraceptive device etc.
