Maternal and child health remains a global concern, particularly due to the poor utilization of postpartum family planning (PPFP), which is vital for safe birth spacing and reducing risks associated with short birth intervals. This study examined the utilization of PPFP among postnatal women attending General Hospital Ilorin, Kwara State. A descriptive cross-sectional design was used. 214 women from postnatal and immunization clinics was determined by using Slovene formular and were randomly selected from total population. Data was collected through structured questionnaires, with a reliability index of 0.67, and analyzed using SPSS version 27 was presented in frequencies, tables, percentages and chi-square tests at a 0.05 significance level were employed. Demographic data showed most participants were aged 20–25 years (29.9%), married (47.2%), Muslim (56.1%), had tertiary education (42.9%), were self-employed (40.7%), had one child (33.2%), and hadabirthintervaloflessthan24months(43.9%). Findings indicates that the level of awareness on post-partum family planning is low (38.5%), but the respondent attitude is positive (52.4%) and level of utilization is high (63.5%). The factors influencing utilization of PPFP include access to healthcare (61.7%), religion (63.1%), cost of services (61.7%), healthcare providers’ behaviour (64%), and the desire to maintain a healthy lifestyle (61.2%). Two hypotheses tested and the revealed that there is a significant associations between both awareness and utilization of PPFP(Chi-square=54.99). Secondly, there is a significant associations between attitude and utilization of PPFP (Chi-square=44.89) of PPFP. The study concludes that effective use of PPFP can reduce maternal mortality and improve child health outcomes. It recommends enhanced efforts to increase awareness and encourage regular use of PPFP among postnatal women to promote adequate child spacing and maternal well-being
- MEDINAT | BOLANLE | BAYERO | : bayerobolanle@gmail.com | 08056711750., OLUFEMI | YINYINOLA, | MAKINDE | : oymakinde@lautech.edu.ng | : 08060053753.
- Utilization; Post-partum; Family Planning; Postnatal women
- UTILIZATION OF POST PARTUM FAMILY PLANNING
