Factors affecting family planning literacy among women of childbearing age in the rural Lake zone, Tanzania

Abstract

Background Low uptake of various recommended modern family planning methods is associated with inadequate family planning literacy among potential beneficiaries of the methods. As such, understanding factors affecting family planning literacy is key to addressing this problem. This study, therefore, explored factors affecting family planning literacy among women of childbearing age in the rural Lake Zone of Tanzania. Methods The study utilized an exploratory descriptive qualitative research approach using focus group discussions to collect data. A total of eight focus group discussion sessions were held to solicit information from childbearing age women involved in the study. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data collected from the study participants. Results Several factors were found to negatively affect the family planning literacy of women of childbearing age in the communities under review. These factors were low levels of education, religious affiliation, and low family income. Other factors that were also found to negatively affect women’s family planning literacy include fertility preference, negative perceptions of family planning, preference of unproven family planning methods, limited access to reliable sources of family planning information, household responsibilities, and poor male partner support on family planning matters. Conclusion This study has identified a multitude of factors affecting the family planning literacy of women of childbearing age. These factors can limit the women’s capacity to make informed decisions on the utilization of modern family planning methods. Thus, addressing these factors is pivotal in increasing the women’s overall uptake of various recommended family planning methods and enhancing their reproductive health outcomes.

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“…The results of research conducted in Tanzania found that religious beliefs affect family planning literacy. Some religions forbid them to use contraception because it is considered to prevent the meeting of egg and sperm cells so that pregnancy does not occur, and this is against God's will (Kassim and Ndumbaro, 2022). The results of another study conducted in Nigeria by Ai, Odejimi O and Ad (2018) on 104,884 women of childbearing age-aged 15-45 years, stated that 84.5% of family planning decisions were influenced by the husband's acceptance of contraceptive methods.…”

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“…This message should be delivered at the most convenient time for rural women. In a Tanzanian study, rural women admitted that sometimes such information was disseminated through various mass media sources such as radio, but at a time when they were too busy with household responsibilities to get the information (29).…”

“…Education has been identified as a path to empowerment over a woman’s reproductive health, holistic well-being, and it raises awareness of the benefits and drawbacks of contraceptives (24). Rural women in a Tanzanian study claimed that their low levels of education made it difficult for them to understand family planning information from various sources (29). Evidence suggests that education improves women’s knowledge and attitudes toward modern contraceptive use (30).…”

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“…Education has been identi ed as a path to empowerment over a woman's reproductive health, holistic well-being, and it raises awareness of the bene ts and drawbacks of contraceptives (24). Rural women in a Tanzanian study claimed that their low levels of education made it di cult for them to understand family planning information from various sources (29). Evidence suggests that education improves women's knowledge and attitudes toward modern contraceptive use (30).…”