Socio-Demographic Determinants of Child Spacing Practice among Women of Reproductive Age in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, North Central Nigeria

Abstract

Child spacing practice plays a critical role in the life of reproductive women and their children in our society. The objective of this descriptive survey was to assess the socio-demographic determinants of child spacing practice among women of reproductive age in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, North-central Nigeria. Relevant data for the study were gathered from 378 respondents through a self-administered structured questionnaire. The study was anchored on the Behavioural Model of Health Service Utilization of Andersen. The multi-stage sampling techniques were used to select the sample of 378 respondents within the age bracket of 15-49 years in the study area. Data for the study were analyzed statistically using the frequency distribution tables and percentage descriptive data and multiple regressions to test the only formulated hypothesis. Findings revealed that 80.4% of the respondents were aware of child spacing practice, but only few (26.2%) of them practice child spacing. Maternal age (73.8%), maternal educational attainment (72.2%), parity (70.1%), religious belief (31.2%) and income level (64.0%) were the socio-demographic variables determining child spacing practice found by the study. Finally, the study recommended more awareness on the need for child spacing practice; marriage for women at marriageable age; encouragement of women education by the Local Government Area; more work by policy makers, non-governmental organization, philanthropists, well-to-do Nigerians and religious leaders on the need to enlighten their subjects for child spacing practice by women of reproductive age in the study area.