Factors Influencing Family Planning use in Nigeria: A secondary analysis of 2008 National Demographic Health Survey

Background
Nigeria’s contraceptive prevalence rate of 10% (NDHS 2008) for modern methods has remained static over the past 20 years. Similarly, the total fertility rate (TFR) in Nigeria has not shown any appreciable change floating between 5.9 in 1999, 5.7 in 2003 and 5.7 in 2008 (NDHS 2008).

Objective
The analysis aimed to assess key influencing factors of need for and use of Family Planning (FP) and duration of use.

Methodology
A secondary analysis of the 2008 Nigerian DHS focusing on both proximate and distal factors that influence the need, use, and duration of FP use was conducted.
Results
Analysis of the four proximate factors showed that both ideal family size and knowledge of modern FP methods are important factors influencing the need for and use of FP among urban women in Nigeria.

Knowledge Contribution
These findings indicated that for NURHI to achieve its goal of increasing CPR by 20% over five years, there is strong need to focus on three key strategies: increasing the proportion of women who want to delay, limit or stop childbearing; convert a greater proportion of unmet need into met need; and reducing the proportion of contraceptive users who discontinue using their contraceptive methods.


Keywords
NDHS 2008, direct influence, indirect influence, urban, Family Planning, Nigeria