AWARENESS AND USE OF RADIO FOR BIRTH CONTROL CAMPAIGNS AMONG COUPLES IN RURAL AREAS OF OYO STATE

Abstract

Radio enlightening campaigns play a crucial role in birth control and ensure the quality health for women. Studies have shown that couples have limited access to media of mass communication promoting family planning and birth control. This study is designed to examine the awareness and use of radio for birth control campaigns among couples in the rural areas of Oyo State. The study adopted the qualitative method of research. Focus group Discussion was used to harvest the opinions and views of the respondents about the awareness and use of radio campaigns for birth control among spouses in Oyo State. The findings showed that the radio failed the integrity test regarding sensitisation about birth control in Oyo State. Findings also showed that religious beliefs play a negative role in the adoption of birth control. Findings revealed that the level of education about birth control is poor in the rural area of Oyo State. It is, therefore, recommended that health workers, health educators, non-governmental organisations and government agencies must recruit religious leaders in the conception and execution of birth control programmes in rural areas of Oyo State, and by extension, Nigeria. Traditional rulers must be sensitised on the importance of birth control. This becomes necessary because religious leaders and traditional rulers are more credible and are influential in the adoption of birth control programmes. House-to-house campaigns are also important to achieve sustainable birth control in the rural areas of Oyo State.