Assessment of Child Bearing Decisions of Women in Aniocha-North Local Government, Delta State

Abstract

This study was designed to obtain information on the childbearing decisions of women in Aniocha-North L.G.A of Delta State. The specific objectives of the study was to: (i) identify the pattern of childbearing among women in Aniocha –North Local Government Area, Delta State, (ii) identify the extent of women’s participation in child-bearing decisions in Aniocha –North Local Government Area, Delta state and (iii) determine the factors that influence women’s child- bearing decisions in Aniocha –North Local Government Area, Delta State. The descriptive survey research design wasused for the study. Using power analysis, a sample of 387 participants were enlisted in the study. The Questionnairewas the only tool used for data collection. The data were analyzed using IBM/ SPSS version 20.Major findings revealed that: A good number of the respondents have low literacy level in the communities hence about 137(35.4%) had no formal education while 98(25.3%) had primary education with 236(61%) having farm work or petty trade as their major economic activities. The mean value of the number of living children is 4.68. Age at first birth showed that on the average the women make their sexual debut at 16 years old.The mean values for these statements When to become pregnant, Number of children, when to have sexual intercourse and child spacing period were 2.93, 2.93, 2.93 and 2.96 respectively while the mean value of where to receive ANC and where to deliver which read 3.15 and 3.14 respectively. Majority of the women are not involved in decision of when and how to use family planning hence the mean value is 1.84.Apart from the cultural factors that have some impact on the women’s childbearing decisions, socio-economic, biological and religious factors have little or no influence on Aniocha-North’s women’s childbearing decisions. Therefore midwives have a role to play by health educating women on the need for their involvement in decision making with regards to their fertility and also the need for family planning as an effective way to reduce their family size, unsafe abortion, maternal mortality and achieve their MDG 4 & 5 target.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page--- i

Approval--- ii

Certification iii

Dedication-- iv

Acknowledgement-- v

Abstract -vi

Table of content vii

List of tables x

List of figures --xi

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

Background to the Study- 1

Statement of problem- 3

Purpose-- 5

Objectives of Study5

Research Questions 6

Significance of study - 6

Scope of Study- 7

Operational Definition of Terms  7

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

Concept of decision making-- 9

Concept of childbearing decision making-- 12

Patterns of child-bearing in the developed nations 13

Patterns of child-bearing in the developing nations--- 15

Factors that influences women's child-bearing decisions in the developed world --- 16

Factors that influences women's child-bearing decisions in the developing world -- 16

Women’s participation in their child-bearing decisions - 22

Women’s perceptions as to what constitutes an ideal family size -- 23

Theoretical review- 26

Application of theory of reasoned action to the study 28

Empirical review-- 29

Summary of review of literature 33

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHOD

Research design 35

Area of study --35

Population for the study---36

Sample for the study---36

Sampling procedure--- 37

Inclusion criteria--- 38

Instrument for data collection 38

Validity of Instrument  38

Reliability of Instrument -39

Ethical Consideration --39

Procedurefor data collection -39

Method of data analysis ---40

CHAPTER FOUR: PRESENTATION OF RESULTS

Summary of major findings-- 49

CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS

Discussion of findings  50

Cultural factors that influenced the decisions made by women on child bearing matters--- 57

Biological factors that influenced the decisions made by women on child bearing matters-59

Religious factors that influenced the child bearing decisions of women-- 59

Implication of the study for nursing-58

Limitations of the study--- 61

Suggestions for further study 61

Summary 61

Conclusion-- 62

Recommendations- 63

References - 66

Appendixes

i- Questionnaire- 69

ii- Questionnaire (vernacular)- 75

iii- Reliability test 80

iv- Sample size calculation-- 81

v- Sampling table 78

vi- Population and sampling procedure--- 85

vii- Certificate of informed consent 86