SIGNIFICANCE OF FAMILY PLANNING IN THE CONTROL OF INCREASING POPULATION IN NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1    BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY 

Family planning has been a common problem with the developing countries in the world, due to lack of family planning the population of the developing countries using Nigeria as a typical example when unchecked increased geometrically. The lack of family planning which led to an increase in Nigeria population is as a result of lack of women education, poverty etc.

It is a common observation to everybody that what we often say is a blessing could turn to be a curse as in the case of the increasing population of a country. The only way this can be prevented is through the use of birth control or family planning and this is one of the major way in which Nigeria population can be reduced. One question that always comes to my mind is that if fertility is not controlled and it grows beyond its carrying capacity, then there will be a huge problem in population control, as we all know over populations a problem to a country especially the developing countries. The above mentioned facts has led the researcher into the topic; family planning as an agent of reduction of the increasing population in Nigeria, a case study of Oredo Local Government Area. 

        It is important to know that whatsoever happens in any society always begin from the family. However, another question that can really come to mind is this. What is family planning? Though many authors has defined it in various way. Family planning is defined as a process whereby parents or couples have their children by choice and not by chance by this we mean that couples can control the number of children they want and when they want them. Though more people use family planning than ever before. More than half of the couples in the developing countries use family planning today compared with 10% in the 1960s. This dramatic increase in family planning use has caused fertility to decline much more rapidly in the developing countries and if this is achieved it can lead to the attainment of optimal population which is the best type of population in both developed countries and developing countries. 

        Family planning helps save women and children’s live and preserves their health by preventing untimely and unwanted pregnancies reducing women’s exposure to health risk of child birth and abortion and giving women who are often the sole care givers more time to care for their children. As countries has modernized and become more urban and as women have achieved higher levels of education and have begun to marry late. Couples want fewer children. The growing availability of modern family planning method through the use of contraceptive such as pills, injections, intrauterine devices and sterilization etc, has made it possible for women and couples to space the births of their children and it as made it possible to have fewer children and this has help and will continue to help to reduce the over-population rate of Nigeria.

1.2    STATEMENT OF PROBLEM    

        Over a long period of time the issue of family planning as been neglected because so many believe that children are blessing from God and children are to be given birth by chance and not by choice which is the opposite of family planning and this as an effect on the Nigeria population.

        Hence this research work is carried out in order to know if the people are still in the shadow of ignorance over the facts of family planning through the data collected and also to enlighten the populace of the importance, harmlessness of proper family planning to the society and to oneself.

1.3    PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

        The general purpose of this study is;

1. To enlighten the public on the meaning of family planning.
2. To examine the family planning facilities available
3. To examine the benefit of family planning to Nigeria as a country to oneself.
4. To identify the barriers attached to the use of family planning.

1.4    SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

        The findings of this study will be immensely important to all those connected with family planning control most especially the health works. Information gathered from this project will help educate the illiterate couples and also the literate couples, it will also give the general public on the importance of family planning in the society.

        The researcher who will want to carry out further research into this project topic. The information available from this project will add to the pool of data or ideas to be used in planning and developing the general public. 

1.5    RESEARCH QUESTION

1.     How profound is your knowledge in the issue of family planning?

2.     Is the general public still ignorant to the issue of family planning in the modern world?

3.     What are the effect or barriers of family planning to the society and to our self?

4.     Does family planning has any barriers on women?

5.     has there been proper awareness on the use of family planning in Oredo Local Government Area?

6.     Does the government have a role to play in the issue of family planning? 

1.7    SCOPE OF THE STUDY

        The focus and coverage of the research work is on Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State. It examines the significance of family planning as an agent of population reduction in Nigeria. The research selected the following communities for the study;

• Ugbowo, Ekiadolor
• Oluku
• Iguosa and Idowina. All in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State.   

1.9    DEFINITION OF TERMS

Family Planning: It can be define as a situation whereby couples decides to have their children by choice and not by chance.

Agent: In this context agent means a force that causes a change.

Contraceptive: A device or drug serving to prevent pregnancy.

Population: Is the total number of people who live in a particular area, city or country.

Control: The power to make decision about how country an area, an organization is run.

Increasing: To make greater in amount or value.

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