FAMILY PLANNING AND PROBLEM OF POPULATION CONTROL

FAMILY PLANNING AND PROBLEM OF POPULATION CONTROL

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this research work was to identify or found out the problems facing family planning and population control in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State and also to provide laudable solutions to these problems. Some literatures were consulted and reviewed. The instrument for data collection was questionnaire methods, using 200 respondents. The data was analyzed using percentage method, it was found among others that family planning had an effect on population control and that workers are effective in educating parents on the importance of family planning etc. consequently, the following recommendations were made such as couples are encouraged to go for family planning as a way of controlling birth population. An enlightenment campaign should be carried out to sensitize parents on the importance of family planning.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

According to Nelson (2001), he sees family planning as a system of limiting family size and the frequency of child bearing by the appropriate use of contraceptive techniques. On the issue of health, Lawrence, (2006) on his own sees family planning as a health service that keeps couples decide whether to have children and if so, when and how many. Telling on the population size of any location. Frederick (2004) writes that “the population size of any location is the ratio of the sum total of the number of persons in an area to the size of the area they occupied per square M2. The family is known to comprise of the father, mother and the children. The numbers of children given birth to by each family residing in any locality has either negative or positive impact on the overall population size in such geographical location. Apart from the above definitions of family planning, the writers see family planning as the process of controlling the number of children you have by using contraception.

Family planning and the problems of population control have been a major concern to both the government and individuals over the years, Nigeria in general and Edo State in particular have been experiencing a geometric increase in population and as a result government budget  and revenue allocation have equally increased. Sincerely speaking, for some couples of years back, Edo State government had made several efforts, especially at the grass root to sensitize people on the needs in family planning in addition to providing adequate basic facilities to meet the needs of the dwellers, it is annoying to see that all these efforts have not yielded positive results. This negatively could be as a result of illiteracy on the parts of the parents.

Autchinson in Osula, (2000) stated some other reasons for the alarming increase in population. The ever increasing population size is encouraged by several factors such as (i) problems of child spacing (ii) unwanted pregnancy resulting from frustrated youths (iii) pursuance of money (prostitutions)” etc it was in a bid to check this ugly situation that Edo State government is been using mass media, television, radio, workshop, seminars and so on to educate, enlighten and sensitize people on the needs for family planning and the dangers, disadvantages and problems of uncontrolled population rate.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

This research work principally address the following problems; religious belief as a means of discouragement to family planning; unwanted pregnancy resulting from frustration and pursuance of money by our youths; problem of inadequate information and financial predicaments ravaging some homes.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The research is designed to find the means to control family planning that results to problems of population control. The study therefore has the following, as its specific objectives.

1.  To find out if religious belief discourages people from family planning.

2.  To identify the causes of unwanted pregnancy resulting to control of population among our youths.

3.  To find out if inadequate information can lead to family planning.

4.  To find out if financial predicaments has role/roles to play in family planning/population control.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

Specifically, that study will attempt to provide answers to the following questions:

1.  Does finance as a problem contributing to family planning resulting to problem of population control?

2.  Does religion belief discourage family planning?

3.  Is there any difference between unwanted pregnancy and frustration/pursuance of money to population control?

4.  Does inadequate information contribute to the problem of population control?

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study is aimed at investigating family planning and problem of population control in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State. The result of this finding will go a long way to enhance the positive attitude of couples in spacing out their children. It will also expose couples to the various contraceptives methods. The investigation will also serve as an eye opener to the government in providing adequate basic facilities, and finally, researchers in the field of population statistics, growth and control will find the findings of this study very useful.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

The terms used in this study are defined within the context of the study. They include.

Child Bearing: An act of giving birth to children.

Child Spacing: Giving birth to child giving enough space.

Population: refers to the number of persons living in an area.

Planning: Refers to measures that could be adopted in regulating occurrence of birth.