There are five research hypotheses in this study. Table 2
indicates that the calculated value of 6.32 is less than the
critical value of 16.92; therefore, the hypothesis which
states that there would be no significant influence on the
socio-economic status of couples in the choice of family
planning in Southwest Nigeria, is accepted. It is seen that
the calculated value is 8.53, while the critical value is
16.92. The calculated value is less than the critical value
at 0.05 alpha level of significance. Since the calculated
value is less than the critical value, the hypothesis which
states that there would be no significant influence toward
the religious factors of the couples on the choice of family
planning in Southwest Nigeria is therefore accepted. In
this case, the religions of the couples are discussed fully
on the choice of family planning. From the result
obtained, the hypothesis which states that the cultural
norms of the couples do not have significant influence on
the choice of family planning in Southwest Nigeria is
accepted. As a result, cultural norms of the couples do
not neglect the choice of family planning.
Table 2 reveals the calculated value as 21.26, while it
reveals the critical value as 16.92. Since the calculated
value is greater than the critical value, the hypothesis is
rejected. In this case, there is a significant influence on
the level of educational status of the couples on the
choice of family planning in Southwest Nigeria. The study
also reveals that there are changes or differences
between educated couples and non-educated couples
toward the choice of family planning.
Table 2 reveals that the calculated value (X2
) is 23.26,
while the critical value is 16.92 at 0.05 alpha level of
significance. Since the calculated value is greater than
the critical value, the hypothesis is hereby rejected. In
this case, there is a significant influence on the involve-
ment of partners toward the choice of family planning in
Southwest Nigeria. In this study, it was also revealed that
the agreement and involvement of partners is very
important or crucial when choosing the method of family
planning among couples. Also, family planning method
should not be one sided, both couples should be involved
when making decision on family planning method.
The study was conducted to investigate the socio-
economic factors and norms influencing the choice of
family planning among couples in Southwest Nigeria. The
result of hypothesis one which states that there is no
significant influence on the socio-economic status of the
couples toward the choice of family planning in South
west Nigeria is accepted. In agreement to this, the cost of
family planning choice is very cheap to the need of the
couples in terms of affordability, availability and accessibility. The common choice of family planning is
located in our various societies such as the use of
condoms for both male and female, calendar based me-
thod in terms of sexual intercourse, etc. It is also revealed
in the study’s findings that both upper and lower class
levels, and rural and urban areas, have equal chances to
the accessibility, affordability and availability of family
planning choice stated by the researcher.
The result of hypothesis two which states that there is
no significant influence on the religious factors of the
couples in the choice of family planning in Southwest
Nigeria is accepted. Rasheed (2010) said that the Qur’an
actually states the limitation of children, which is having
not more than four children with a stated age of marriage.
Also, it states that the father should take proper care of
the children in terms of responsibility. The Bible also
confirms the statements that family planning is very
crucial in a couple’s life so as to adjust favourably to the
economic demand of life (Schonfield, 2008).
The result of hypothesis three which shows that there is
no significant influence on the cultural norms of the cou-
ples toward the choice of family planning in Southwest
Nigeria is accepted. Habiger (2007) reveals that cultural
norms of the couples should not neglect the choice of
family planning. It also indicates that family planning
method should be encouraged among couples.
The result of hypotheses four which reveals that there
is no significant influence on the educational status of the
couples toward the choice of family planning in South
west Nigeria is rejected. This is supported by Olaitan
(2009) who opined that the level of educational status of
the couples determines their attitudes toward the choice
of family planning. For instance, ignorance and illiteracy
will make some persons not to be aware of the benefit of
family planning method. Even though the family planning
service provider comes to visit the person and educate
him on the importance of family planning method, he/she
will be confused and will not listen to the service provider,
especially those couples in the Northern part of Nigeria.
Most of them said that family planning service providers
want them to be barren for life; as such, they tend to
withdraw from the services.
Finally, the result of hypothesis five which showed that
there is no significant influence on the involvement of
partners toward the choice of family planning among
couples in Southwest Nigeria was rejected, that is, there
existed a significant influence on the involvement of
partners toward the choice of family planning among
couples in Southwest Nigeria. This is supported by Potter
(1999) who shows that the agreement and involvement of
partners is very crucial when determining the choice of
family planning among couples. Also, both couples are
advised to make the right decisions on their choice of
family planning.
Conclusion
In this study, it was observed that the socio-economic
status of the couples of Southwest Nigeria, their religions,
their cultural norms and their educational status did not
significantly influence their choice of family planning.
However, there are significant influences in the involve-
ment of partners on the choice of family planning in
Southwest Nigeria.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Having studied the factors influencing the choice of family
planning among couples in Southwest Nigeria, the
following recommendations were made:
1. Every couple should be encouraged to visit the family
planning service providers so as to enlighten the couples
on various family planning choices that will meet their
economic status.
2. Societies and communities should give a couple of
advice to their neighbours on the importance of family
planning.
3. Religious leaders should encourage their followers on
the needs for family planning choice as related to their
holy book.
4. Community leaders should discourage the habit of not
having family planning choice in their cultural norms.
5. Federal Government should build Reproductive Health
Centres, where family planning education would be given
to couples on the choice of family planning for both
educated and non-educated couples.
6. Family planning service providers should educate the