An Investigation of Traditional Family Planning methods used by women in the Bamenda Municipality, Cameroon

Authors

  • Kinga Bertila Mayin
  • Bereynuy Jude Cholong
  • Florence Nsuh Luti
  • Lanyuy Gillian Dzekashu
  • Nsem Mirabel Kum
  • Mbinkar Djin Nyuykighan
  • Kungaba lydwina Makougane
  • Njohyim Herita Ngefor

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47672/ajhmn.811

Keywords:

Traditional,  Family Planning, Women,  Bamenda and Cameroon

Abstract

Introduction: Women in most sub-Saharan countries bear children at younger ages, have larger families, and make much less use of family planning. Sub-Saharan Africa has the lowest rate of contraceptive use in the world. There are both modern and traditional methods of Family planning. Throughout history, the traditional family planning practices used to space children have been rich and varied.

Purpose: This work sets out to investigate the diverse traditional family planning methods used by women in the Bamenda Municipality and the determinants of their choices.

Methods: A mix of descriptive and exploratory research designs were used. The purposive sampling technique was used to identify 100, participants residing in Bamenda Municipality who were married/cohabiting, aged 21-49 years, and whose last child was ≤ 5 years old. The multinomial logit model, chi-square, frequencies, percentages, and charts were used for the analysis. An interview administered questionnaire was administered to women of childbearing age who were not on any modern contraceptive method.

Findings: Results showed that the local family planning methods used by women in the Bamenda Municipality were; withdrawal, lactational, calendar, cervical mucus, and douches methods. Other locally used products presumed by these women to help prevent conception were; bicarbonate, honey, thyme,  parsley, herbs, lemon, cola drink, alakata pepper, alcohol, hot water, salt, vinegar, and whisky. Results further showed that age, age at first marriage, number of children, and the fear of side effects all significantly influenced women's choice of withdrawal and calendar method over other methods of family planning.

Conclusion: It can be concluded that, the most frequently used traditional contraceptive method by women in the Bamenda Municipality are; calendar (70%), withdrawal (58%), and lactational method(45%) whose choices over other methods especially over modern methods was mostly due to the fear of side effects of the modern method. It is recommended further research be carried out to investigate and establish the efficacy of the common products used by these women.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Kinga Bertila Mayin

Department of Health Economics, Policy, and Management, Faculty of Business and Management Sciences, Catholic University of Cameroon (CATUC) Bamenda, Cameroon

The University of Bamenda, Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences, University of Bamenda, Cameroon

Bereynuy Jude Cholong

Department of Health Economics, Policy, and Management, Faculty of Business and Management Sciences, Catholic University of Cameroon (CATUC) Bamenda, Cameroon

Florence Nsuh Luti

Department of Nursing/ Midwifery, Faculty of Health Sciences,University of Bamenda

Lanyuy Gillian Dzekashu

Department of Health Economics, Policy, and Management, Faculty of Business and Management Sciences, Catholic University of Cameroon (CATUC) Bamenda, Cameroon

Nsem Mirabel Kum

Department of English,Faculty of Arts,University of Bamenda

Mbinkar Djin Nyuykighan

Department of Marketing and Manangement , Fcaulty if Economics and Management Sciences, University of Bamenda .

Kungaba lydwina Makougane

Department of logistics and supply chain management. School of Transit and logistics, University of Bamenda.

Njohyim Herita Ngefor

Psychologist, University of Yaounde

References

Alkema L, Kantorova V, Menozzi C, Biddlecom A. (2013) National, regional, and global rates and trends in contraceptive prevalence and unmet need for family planning between 1990 and 2015: A systematic and comprehensive analysis. Lancet. (381):1642-52

Apanga PA, Adam MA. (2015). Factors influencing the uptake of family planning services in the Talensi district, Ghana. Pan Afr Med J. (20). 10

Aninyei LR, Onyesom I, Ukuhor HO, Uzuegbu UE, Ofili MI, Anyanwu EB, et al. (2008) Knowledge attitude to modern family planning methods in Abraka communities, Delta State, Nigeria. East Afr J Public Health. (5):10-2.

Bertrand JT, Mangani N, Mansilu M, Landry EG. (1985). Factors influencing the use of traditional versus modern family planning methods in Bas Zaire. (16). 332-4.

Consoler Tenug Teboh (2011) Determinants of Modern Contraceptive Use in Cameroon from 1991 to 2004. Doctor Of Philosophy, The University of Texas at Arlington.

Delano G. (1990) Guide to Family Planning. New Edition. Ibadan: Spectrum Books, Ltd

Keller S. (1996). Traditional beliefs are part of people's lives. Netw Res Triangle Park N C (17) 10-1.

Lisa MW, Alison P, Daniel W, Mark P. Graham J. (2009). Reproductive health limits to modern contraceptive use among young women in developing countries: a systematic review of qualitative research. Review. Reproductive Health, 6:3 doi:10.1186/1742-4755-6-3.

Mairiga AG, Kullima AA, Bako B, Kolo MA. (2010). Sociocultural factors influencing decision-making related to fertility among the Kanuri tribe of North-Eastern Nigeria. Afr J Prim Health Care Fam Med; (2):94.

Malarcher S, Spieler J, Fabic MS, Jordan S, Starbird EH, Kenon C, et al. (2016). Fertility awareness methods: Distinctive modern contraceptives. Glob Health. (4).13-5

Manzila T. (2000) Family Planning Methods and Practice: Africa. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Second Edition.

Marquez MP, Maria MM, Kabamaln EP. (2017). Ten Years of Traditional Contraceptive Method Use in the Philippines: Continuity and Change. USAID- DHS WORKING PAPER NO 130. Demographic and Health Surveys.

Mason Elizabeth J. (2010). Identifying factors of influence on family planning practices among rural Haitian women. Thesis. The University of Pitsburg.

Mine YG. (2002). Reasons for using traditional methods and role of nurses in family planning Contraception .65(5):347-50.

Okonofua F, Lambo E, Okeibunor J, Agholor K. (2011) Advocacy for free maternal and child health care in Nigeria - Results and outcomes. Health Policy; (99):131-8.

Vogelsong KM (2017). Training Courses. Geneva Foundation for Medical Education and Research 11th Postgraduate Course for Training in Reproductive Medicine and Reproductive Biology. Natural Contraceptive Methods. Research Area for Male Fertility Regulation/Male Reproductive Health UNDP/UNFPA/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction, (HRP) Department of Reproductive Health and Research. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization CH-1211.

World Health Organization. 2017 Family Planning/Contraception. Available from: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs351/en/.

Downloads

Published

2021-10-05

How to Cite

Mayin, K. ., Cholong, B. ., Luti, F. ., Dzekashu, L. ., Kum, N. ., Nyuykighan, M. ., … Ngefor, N. . (2021). An Investigation of Traditional Family Planning methods used by women in the Bamenda Municipality, Cameroon. American Journal of Health, Medicine and Nursing Practice, 6(4), 1 – 13. https://doi.org/10.47672/ajhmn.811

Issue

Section

Articles