Browsing by Author "Emmanuel, Grace"

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    Accessibility and use of family planning information among rural people in Kilombero District, Tanzania.
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2005) Emmanuel, Grace
    This study investigated accessibility and use of family planning Information ( FPI ) among rural people in Kilombero District, Tanzania. The purpose was to examine the entire infrastructure required for accessing and using FPI in rural settings. The study used survey method for data collection. Data gathering instruments were questionnaires, interview schedule and observation guide. A total of 120 respondents were involved in survey. These included women and men of reproductive age, maternal and child health (MCH) clinic staff and community health workers. The study revealed that, there is high awareness of the availability of family planning services (FPS), inadequate knowledge of various family planning methods and limited access and use of FPI. This situation is mainly caused by number of factors which include: ignorance, inconsistent availability of family planning methods, few staff (provider) with limited training, inaccessibility of FPS and patriarchal gender relations. Furthermore, the study found the rural communities access FPI through radio and MCH clinic staff; and there are unequal opportunities between women and men in accessing FPI. The study concludes that the surveyed rural communities are disadvantaged in accessing and using FPI. In addition family planning knowledge has an influence on the adoption and use of family planning methods. The recommendations made include: provision of more health facilities in rural areas, providing training to family planning providers, raising public awareness of family planning, ensuring constant availability of all the family planning methods, provision of family planning education in schools for both sexes and provision of all the necessary facilities needed for effective dissemination of FPI in the rural settings.