Interdisciplinary Seminar:
Education for Health
Convener: Eliane Didier, France

Assessment of the Acceptability of Family Planning Education among Rural Women in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria
Victoria A. Jideani, Non-member, Nigeria

This study was conducted to investigate the acceptability of family planning education among rural women in Okitipupa Local Government area of Ondo State, Nigeria. The survey involved the use of questionnaires, and an interview. One hundred and five (105) rural women were randomly selected from ten villages in the local government area. The result shows that majority of the rural women received family planning information through friends and community health workers. Although the government has committed huge financial resources advertising in radio, TV and newspapers, this has not had appreciable impact on these rural women. Acceptance rate was highest among Christian women. Religion is therefore a major factor influencing the acceptance of family planning among rural women. Generally, acceptance rate was very low. This was possibly because of the low level of literacy and poverty, which made modern family planning services unaffordable.

It is recommended that the government consider the particular circumstances of rural women when formulating policy on family planning as well as making communication with them more
interactive and participatory.

Dr Victoria Adaora Jideani is a Senior Lecturer in Food Science and Technology at the Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi, Nigeria. She holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Education from the University of Nigeria, an MSc in Food Science from the University of Leeds; a City and Guilds of London Diploma in Computer Applications; and a PhD in Food Microbiology from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Nigeria.