Factor Influencing Utilization of Family Paining Information(FPI) by Rural Households: The Case of Kombolcha District, Ethiopia

Abstract

The population in the country is largely rural (83 percent) and young, with 44 percent under the age of 15. Such a structure results in a high dependency ratio as well as a future rapid exponential population growth. If this growth does not decline in the coming years, it is expected that the population of Ethiopia will double in about 25 years. A young and rapidly growing population is putting pressure on agricultural land, especially in potential highland areas of the country. For keeping the balance between the population growth rate and economic growth rate of the country, mitigating or controlling the rapidly growing population through the help of family planning package services is an important measure to be taken. A longer period of time has passed without reaching the intended target in relation to FPI utilization in the country, particularly in Oromia region. This study was designed to assess the level of family planning information utilization and factors affecting FPI utilization among rural women in Komboicha woreda. The study used multistage sampling technique to select sample respondents and both probability and non-probability sampling methods. Among the districts in Eastern Hararghe Zone, Komboicha woreda was purposively. selected and a total of 120 sample couples were randomly selected from three peasant associations, key informants' and focus group discussions were used to triangulate the survey data. In addition, secondary data were collected from relevant secondary sources. Data were analyzed using qualitative methods, descriptive statistics and binary iogit model. The study results showed that 93.3% of the respondents had information on family planning services and birth control methods. From the total sampled couples, 40.9% are users of some types of modern FPI at the time of the survey. From the nine birth control methods provided by family planning extension packages, only four methods were well known and only two methods (injectables and oral pills) were widely used by rural women. Results of the binary logistic regression model analysis showed that among the 10 explanatory variables entered into the model, seven of them viz. family size preference, land holding, information seeking behavior, husband education, fear of side effects, extension contact and ideal number of children desired were found to be statistically significant factors that influence the utilization of FPI among rural women in the study area. The community had information on family planning services, yet, further provision of adequate and quality education is required to make the family planning more effective. Therefore, targeting the identified factors, and making policy and development interventions can promote the level of utilization of FPI among rural women in the study area.