THE AWARENESS AND UTILIZATION OF FAMILY PLANNING SERVICES AMONG WOMEN IN ILISHANREMO, OGUN STATE

Family planning is a vital public health strategy for improving maternal and child health, yet its effective use remains limited in many developing countries, including Nigeria This study assessed the awareness, and utilization of family planning services among women attending Babcock University Teaching Hospital (BUTH), Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State. It also explored socio-cultural factors influencing service uptake. A qualitative research design was employed, involving 15 women of reproductive age (18–49 years) selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected via indepth, face-to-face interviews using a semi-structured guide. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic content analysis to identify key patterns related to awareness, utilization, and socio-cultural influences. Findings showed that participants had a high level of awareness of family planning methods, largely due to education and hospital-based health information. However, concerns about side effects, including menstrual irregularities and weight changes, remained prevalent. Despite this awareness, actual utilization of family planning services was low, highlighting a significant awareness–utilization gap. Key factors influencing uptake included fear of side effects, limited knowledge of service access points, spousal influence, and socio-cultural beliefs. The study concludes that increased awareness alone is insufficient to ensure utilization. It recommends targeted interventions such as personalized counseling, improved service accessibility, and greater male partner involvement to enhance family planning uptake and reproductive health outcomes.