Assessment Of Knowledge And Attitude Towards Family Planning Among Selected Religious Leaders In Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria

The use of modern family planning methods in developing countries is low. Among reasons for low uptake is religious belief on procreation. This study was designed to assess the knowledge and attitude of family planning among religious leaders in Ogbomoso metropolis of Oyo State, Nigeria. The study is a descriptive cross-sectional study done with the use of interviewer administered semi-structured questionnaire as research tool. Systematic sampling method was used in subject selection. A total of 200 religious leaders (consisting of 100 each from Christian and Islamic religions) were involved in the study. Analysis of the data was done by using SPSS Version 19. The main findings were adequate level of awareness as all respondents have heard and were aware of family planning and 68% of them had good knowledge of it. There was poor knowledge of permanent methods of family planning, cervical caps/diaphragm and implant. There was no significant difference in knowledge scores of the two religious leaders on family planning p=0.06481. The attitude of the religious leaders were positive towards family planning as 85.5% of them had good (positive) attitude towards it. There was no significant difference in attitude scores of the two religious leaders on family planning p=0.3535. There is a need to use religious leaders as a change agent by the stakeholders to increase the uptake and use of family planning in our society. This is necessary because they (religious leaders) are respected individuals in the community whom people, especially their followers, listen to and they have influence on their daily life activities, reproductive health inclusive.Keywords: Knowledge, attitude, family planning, religious leaders, Nigeria