EFFECTS OF PERCEPTION ON FAMILY SIZE, GENDER CHOICE AND ADOPTION

OF FAMILY PLANNING METHODS AMONG HOUSEHOLDS IN RURAL AND

URBAN AREAS OF ZAMFARA STATE, NORTH WEST NIGERIA
1
Halliru Y, 2Lambu, I.B.

1
Department of Geography, Zamfara State College of Education, Maru
2
Associate Professor, Department of Geography, Bayero University Kano
___________________________________________________________________________
Abstract: Managing population is one of the major issues of development particularly in developing
countries where population size and growth rate remains high. This research work is on effects of
perception on family size, gender choice and adoption of family planning methods among households in
rural and urban areas of Zamfara State, North West Nigeria. The study seeks to examine spatial
differences in perception on family size and gender preferences and also examine the effects of family
size and preference on adoption of family planning among women of child bearing age 15 to 49 years in
the study area. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were employed in the study. Specifically, 286
respondents were interviewed using purposive sampling in order to examine spatial differences in
perception on family size and gender preferences and also 297 questionnaires were purposely
administered to examine the effects of family size and preference on adoption of family planning among
women of child bearing age 15 -49 years in the study area. The results revealed that majority of the
respondents preferred male children than females. People perception was found to differ across rural and
urban environment. While people in rural areas believed in no ideal size, majority of urban dwellers
preferred small family size due to high cost of upbringing. Also, family planning service provision was
found to be more concentrated in urban areas of the state. However, some rural families travel long
distance to access family planning services in a nearby urban service centres in the state. The proportion
of women relying on traditional family planning methods is much higher in rural areas than in urban
areas. Urban women are mostly using modern methods of family planning. Unmet need or mistimed
pregnancies or unwanted pregnancies are found to increase family size in both rural and urban
households. The study concludes that gender preferences affect family size significantly. However,
enlightment campaign is recommended to discourage high gender preferences so that people understand
the role of sexes in complementing one another. Also, massive free and compulsory education is
recommended for all boys and girls in both rural and urban areas of the state in order to ensure
development and progress of the community.

Keywords: family planning, gender, household, perception, preferences

1.0 INTRODUCTION

World population has become a matter of interest globally for many reasons.  One of the most
important concerns is the global food security challenges. The world must feed 9 billion people
by 2050 and demand for food will be 60% greater than what it is today (FAO, 2018). Fertility is
an important component of population growth. Even though, there has been unprecedented
decline in fertility rate of some countries across the world, other countries still have
unappreciable decline in their fertility, particularly in countries of sub Saharan Africa like
Nigeria.
Nigeria is the Africa's most populous country and the seventh-largest nation in the world. It is
important to note that the growth rate of population still stood at 3.3% (NPC, 2017) which is
against the 2004 National Population Policy (NPP) aspiration of 2% or lower in the year
2015.The state of fertility has significantly continued to increase the population growth rate of
Nigeria’s Population. Nigeria continued to be among the leading countries with high population
growth rate in the world. The country experienced biggest world birth records after India and
China, in January, 1st 2018.

Currently, the total fertility rate (TFR) for women age 15-49 at the geo- political zones of
Nigeria still remains high particularly in the North West (including Zamfara State, the study
area) with 7.3 births per woman. This follows by the North East with 7.2, North Central (5.4),
South East (4.8), South-South (4.7) and South West (4.5) (NPC and ORC Macro, 2004; NPC and
ICF International, 2014). Also, teenage child bearing is high in Nigeria, with highest record of
45% in the North West (Including Zamfara State, the study area.). This has the tendency of
producing large family sizes, with consequent effects on National population growth as alluded
to by Safdar et al. (2007).

Zamfara State is among the states with highest fertility and highest teenage pregnancy in the
country. It is also important to note that population growth rate is linked with fertility as well as
teenage pregnancies. Hence, the study intends to assess the family size perception and preference
in Zamfara State. Family size could be considered large, medium or small, ideal or actual.
Depending on the family in question, every family size decision and reproductive health
behaviour are naturally laced with some consequences (NPC and HPP, 2015; Hyeladi, Alfred &
Gyang, 2014). Hence, family size preferences guide married couples on the number of children
they are expected to bear. Thus, this influences the decisions of couples to the extent of having
more children than they generally can cater for. Consequently, this decreases standard of living,
childhood nutritional deficiency, and low quality education or even no education at all. The
future consequences can be unemployment among youth, overcrowding, insecurity situation that
includes cattle rustling and kidnapping, which lead to seeking huge ransom and armed robbery
among others. Although, with adequate resources to carter for more children, these consequences
of high fertility can easily be curtailed, as opined by Jennings and Barber (2013) that the
capacity of the family to cater for the new members or children is a function of the resources
available and accessible.

2.0 AIM AND OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to examine the effects of perception on family size, gender choice and
adoption of family planning methods among households in rural and urban areas of Zamfara
State, North West Nigeria. This aim could be achieved through the following objectives:

i. Examine spatial differences in perception on family size and gender preferences in rural and
urban setting of Zamfara State.
ii. Examine the effects of family size and preference on adoption of family planning among
women of child bearing age 15 to 49 years in the study area.

3.0 MATERIAL AND METHODS

3.1 Description of the Study Area
3.1.1 Location, Size and Position of the Study Area
Zamfara State was created in 2006 from former Sokoto State. World Population Review (WPR,
2008) puts the population of Gusau, the capital city of the state as 226,857 in 2008 (WPR, 2008).
The state creation had significant impacts on the growth and development of the new capital as
well as other towns which transformed to local Government headquarters. The state was located
on Latitudes 120111N to 130 051 N and Longitudes 60151E to 70 051E (FLLW, 2019). The State is
located in the north western geo-political region of Nigeria. It is bordered in the north by Niger
Republic, to the south by Kaduna State, to the east it is bordered by Katsina State and to the west
by Sokoto and Niger States.
Zamfara State covered a total area of 39,762 km 2 (15,352sq miles). This ranked the state as the
7th largest among the 36 states of the Nigerian Federation (NPC, 2006). It comprises of fourteen
LGAs which include: Anka, Bakura, Birnin Magaji, Bungudu, Bukkuyum, Gummi, Gusau,
Maradun, Maru, Kaura Namoda, Tsafe, Talata Mafara, Shinkafi and Zurmi. All the fourteen
(14) LGAs in the state are characterized by homogeneous ethnic groups and religion found
everywhere in the state. Islam is the overwhelming religion of the state and Christianity is also
found across all the LGAs in the state. Urbanisation is common in areas around some
headquarters of LGAs like Gusau, Kaura, Talata Mafara, Maradun, Maru, Anka, Bakura, Tsafe
and Maradun. Majority of Zamfara State population are rural residents.

3.1.2 Population Size, Distribution and Characteristics of the Study Area

NPC (2006) puts Zamfara State population record as 3,278,873 persons according to 2006
census, with the population estimate to 3,838,160 persons in 2011 and 4,515, 427 in 2016 using
cohort component of population projection. The population of the state was ranked as 23rd among
the 36 states of Nigeria as well as capital territory, Abuja. Zamfara is dominated by the Hausa
and Fulani and the other ethnic minorities in the state that includes Yoruba, Igbo, Kanuri, Nupe
and Tiv also settled in the state. Although, there was significant changes in terms of population
after the creation of the state and the establishment of Gusau as the new state headquarter. The
state experiences population explosion due to migration of indigenous civil servants from old
Sokoto State and other segment of people that are indigenes of Zamfara State.

Table 1: Distribution of population by sex in Zamfara State from year 2006 - 2019
Year Sex distribution Total
Male Female
2006 1,641,623 1,637,250 3,278,873
2007 1,694,155 1,689,642 3,383,797
2008 1,748,368 1,743,711 3,492,079
2009 1,804,316 1,799,509 3,603,825
2010 1,862,054 1,857,094 3,719,148
2011 1,921,639 1,916,521 3,838,160
2019 2,488,192 2,482,228 4,970,420
Source: National bureau of statistics, Abuja, Modified by researcher, 2019
3.1.3 Fertility, Mortality and Migration Characteristics of the Study Area
In terms of fertility, Zamfara State falls under the North West region of Nigeria with highest
fertility rate. In this region, women have an average of 6.7 children (NDHS, 2014) and 5.3
children in her lifetime (NDHS, 2019). Also, Total Fertility Rate (TFR) of Zamfara State stood
4.04. Women’s ideal family size is also highest in North West zone with (8.4) (NHDS 2014).

Infant mortality rate (IMR) in Zamfara State stood at 80.83 per1000 and under five mortality
rate also stood at 128.94 per 1000 as at 2013 (NDHS, 2014) and young motherhood or teenage
pregnancy is also highest in North West zone with 36% in 2013 (NDHS 2014). This is because
of its association with higher morbidity and mortality for both the mother and child (NPC and
ICF Macro, 2009).

Available records show that total registered live births in rural and urban areas of Zamfara State
in 2007 was 16,181and 8,175 respectively (NPC, 2007). This figure was expected to be on the
rise due to increasing number of people passing adulthood years and large family size practices
in rural areas. Also, under-five mortality rate for the ten-year period before the survey ranges
from 185 deaths per 1,000 live births in North West zone (NDHS 2014). Facility-based births
(FBB) are least common in North West zone (12%) (NDHS,2014). Also, skilled assistants at
birth are least common in North West zone (12%). Women with more education and those from
wealthier households are most likely to have their births attended by a skilled provider (NDHS
2014). Maternal mortality ratio (MMR) is 1,100 deaths per 100,000 live births. Infant mortality
is 104/1000 per live birth. Contraceptive prevalence rate has increased from 3.3% in 2011 to 5%
in 2016 (MIC Survey, 2011-2016).

3.2. Data Collection Procedure

Both qualitative and quantitative methods were employed in the study. Specifically, 286
respondents were interviewed using purposive sampling in order to examine spatial differences
in perception on family size and gender preferences and also 297 questionnaires were purposely
administered to examine the effects of family size and preference on adoption of family planning
among women of child bearing age 15 -49 years in the study area.
An in-depth interview scheduled was drafted and administered using purposive sampling of
respondents in the study area. This is aimed at achieving objective number one (1) of the
research which is ‘‘to examine spatial differences in perception on Family Size and gender
preferences. Both husbands and wives’ respondents were selected because of the assumption that
they are in a position to provide comprehensive data on the issue of family size and preferences
as opined by Anna (2010) that interviews are often used for studies in which participants are
“experts” from whom you hope to learn how certain practice, experiences, knowledge or
institutions work.

The objective number two (2) of the study was to “examine the effects of family size and
preference on adoption of family planning in the study area. This was measured through the
instrument of questionnaire survey. This questionnaire was administered to sampled
communities in rural and urban settings which were purposively selected in the study area. This
instrument was administered to women of child bearing age 15 to 49 years. Researcher identified
participants and discussed issues of family size, perceptions and preferences.

3.3. Population, Sample Size and Sampling Methods

Households and women of child bearing age 15 to 49 years were considered as population for
answering objective 1 and 2 respectively. The target population were drawn from both rural and
urban settings in Zamfara State. However, according to National Population Commission on
population and Housing Census (2006) of Zamfara State, the population of households heads
was 592, 106. These households are defined as a unit that consists of a person or group of
persons living together in the same compound with head of the household. Also household’s
head mostly husbands are the head of the family and in the absent of husband/male head of the
household, wife or any of child bearing age 15-49 years, are considered as the target population.

Interview schedules were administered to 286 respondents using purposive sampling in order to
examine spatial difference in perception on family size and gender preference in Zamfara State
(research objective number 1). Interview guide was drafted to cover the objective 2 of the study.
The outcome of the interviews was coded, interpreted and the result was presented.

Questionnaire on “effects of family size and preferences on adoption of family planning”

(research objective number 2) was administered using combinations of purposive and stratified
sampling techniques and 297 women of child bearing age 15 to 49 years were selected. The
instrument cut across rural and urban areas of Zamfara State using 60:40 ratios in favour of rural
areas. Hence, 178 questionnaires and 119 questionnaires were administered in rural and urban
settings respectively.
3.4 Methods of Data Analyses

All the questionnaire instruments were retrieved for analysis. This is because the researcher was
able to produce more than required copies. Data obtained from interview schedule were analysed
using qualitative methods. The presentations was made using tables, simple percentage and
frequency counts, Mean, Standard, Deviation of various variables were determined, analysed and
discussed. The qualitative data was organized into categories and pattern (relationship) among
the categories. The data presentations will be made using tables, simple percentages and
frequency counts. analyses was facilitated through data cleaning, manually entered and analysed
using the computer software, the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) latest version 25.

4.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

4.1 Spatial Differences in Perception on Family Size and Gender Choices
Diversity of livelihood options created by modernization bring about changes of perception by
people across rural and urban environment. In this regards, Family size expectations incorporate
both family size desires and perceptions of the likelihood that preferences can be translated into
outcomes. Family size and gender choice differ significantly between rural and urban settings.

4.2 Perception of Households on Family Size and Gender Choice in Rural Areas
People in the rural environment are divided in opinions about the ideal size of a family. Majority
are of the believe that no ideal size of a family. Households can marry as much as four wives as
enshrined in Islamic injunctions and can bear as many children as possible. Size and gender
choice is generally rest on Islamic believe. Both women of child bearing age 15 to 49 years and
male adults in rural areas, who were interviewed on number of children they desire in their life
time. Most responses are that ‘is up to God’ and that they will accept whatever number of
children they have. The ‘up to God’ response is a reflection of their inability to plan their birth,
believing that God Almighty takes care of every child that was born. To some, this ‘up to God’
may be connected to Almajiri phenomena that bedevilled most states of Northern Nigeria,
including Zamfara State. However, due to high child mortality, ‘up to God’ may also reflect
uncertainties about the number of children that will survive. A gender choice has been expressed
by the respondents as their wishes not specific plans.

“No one should say that ‘I will have only three or four’ because God that created
us knows the best for us and we should accept what He gives to us whether

seven, eight, nine or twelve” (Male, Tsafe rural area.)

4.3 Perception of Households on Family Size and Gender Choice in Urban Areas
In Urban areas of Zamfara State, many respondents opined that they preferred small family size
due to high cost of upbringing. This is so, because most households tend to limit their number of
children looking at the cost of bearing them. These costs include feeding, shelter and education.
As most households preferred their children to attend private schools which are more qualitative
and expensive than public schools. The cost of private schools is one of the determinants of
family size in urban areas of Zamfara State.

‘‘I cannot marry additional wife because that will increase my children
Which is an additional cost of school fees that I cannot bear in future’’
(Male Adult, in Urban area)

On gender choice, most male and female respondents preferred having more number of males
than females. This may be connected to cultural and religious dominance of the Hausa-Muslims
communities. No single respondent preferred single gender. However, majority of respondents
preferred to have male children at their initial or earlier birth and have male children in a later
time of child birth. Contrary to female counterpart, the reverse is the case.

“It might be that the man is considering his earning and that is why

he decided to have no more children. So she should agree with what

he wants in order to have a peaceful life” (Female in Urban area).

4.4 Perception Based on Age and Gender

Adult male respondents in rural areas have a strong perception that male children give support to
family than female children and therefore, perceived large family size. Young males in urban
areas perceive that children are an economic burden, therefore preferred small family size.
Female adults fall into large family size perception but perceiving having male children can
bring more respects, recognition to husband. But young females in both rural and urban areas
perceive differently as they preferred small family with balanced sexes.
4.5 Adoption of Family Planning in Zamfara State
Table 2: Responses on age characteristics of respondents in rural and urban areas
Rural Urban
Age of Respondents Frequency Percentage Frequency Percentage
Below 15 years 58 32.6 28 23.5
16 to 25 years 41 23.0 21 17.6
26 to 35 years 35 19.7 52 43.7
36 and Above 44 24.7 18 15.2
Total 178 100.0 119 100.0
Source: Field Study, 2019.
Basic socio-economic and demographic information collected from the respondents indicated
that married women in rural areas are slightly younger than those in urban areas. This portrays
how early marriage is more common among teenage girls in rural areas. The study also found out
that family planning services are provided through clinics of the Planned Parenthood Federation
of Nigeria, spatially located within the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Gusau, state general
hospitals across fourteen local government areas in the state, and other government and private
hospitals/clinics. These sources are mainly found in urban areas with very few service centres
located in few rural areas of the state. This makes the family planning service provision more
concentrated in urban areas. Although some rural families travel long distance to access family
planning service in a nearby urban service centres in the state. The study also found that various
categories of rural and urban women, both married and unmarried goes for family planning
services. However, a large segment of the population, particularly in rural areas of Zamfara State
needs access to enlightment on family planning services.

4.6 Interval/Spacing between Children

Respondents show their willingness to space their births, which will consequently affects their
family sizes as indicated in table 3:

Table 3: Respondents desired interval for child birth in rural and urban areas.
Rural Urban
Desired Interval Frequency Percentage Frequency percentage
Between 1-2 years 44 24.7 10 8.4
Between 3-4 years 81 45.5 53 44.5
Between 5- 6 years 53 29.8 38 31.9
I do not want a child any more ….. 0.0 18 15.2
Total 178 100.0 119 100.0
Source: Field Study, 2019
Table 3 depicts respondents’ desire for the birth of another child in both rural and urban areas of
Zamfara State. Most respondents in both rural and urban areas wish their next baby to come
between 3 to 4 years after the first child. However, the study indicated that there has been an
unmet need for family planning in the study area. This unmet need is highest in rural areas than
in the urban areas. Unmet need describes women who want to postpone their next birth for 2 or
more years, or who want to stop childbearing altogether but are not using a contraceptive
method. It was also indicated in the study that the use of contraceptive is very low among
married women.

4.7 Family Size and Adoption of Family Planning Methods

Table 4: Respondents’ Family Planning Methods Used
Contraceptive Method Rural Urban
Frequency Percentage Frequency Percentage
Traditional Method 67 69.1 16 18.5
Modern Method 30 30.9 67 81.5
Total 97 100.0 83 100.0
Source: Field Study, 2019

The proportion of women relying on traditional methods is much higher in rural areas than in
urban areas. While rural women relied on traditional methods such as complete abstinence, safe
period, rhythm, withdrawal, and folk methods, urban women are mostly on modern method
which includes intra utenary device (IUD), the pill, injectable, implants, Norplant, condom,
female condom, male sterilization, female sterilization. Many women in the study area lack
access to family planning as indicated in table 4

Table 5: Responses on access to modern family planning methods

Contraceptive Method Rural Urban
Frequency Percentage Frequency Percentage
In a nearby clinic/ hospital 05 5.5 32 38.0
I have to travelled long distance 08 8.8 16 19.0
In a nearby chemist/ Health staff 17 18.7 19 22.6
I do not have access 61 67.0 17 20.4

Total 91 100.0 84 100.0

Source: Field Study, 2019
Lack of access to family planning services is higher in rural areas than in urban areas.

On family size, it was indicated that cultural beliefs, traditional values and religious norms are
strong among most families in rural areas, which brought about desire for large family size, and
consequently weakens family planning services. Women found it difficult to use family planning
services without the consent of her husband. And because of competition among wives, most
polygamous families do not participate in any method of family planning. Unmet need is also
common among married women in both rural and urban areas of the state. This unmet need or
mistimed pregnancies or unwanted pregnancies have increased family size in both rural and
urban households.

4.8 Role of Sex Preference on Family Planning

Table 6: Respondents Preferred Male – Female Ratio.
Rural Urban
Male-female
Preferred Ratio Frequency Percentage Frequency Percentage
0:1 4 2.2 6 5.0
1:0 62 34.8 44 37.0
1:1 61 34.3 41 34.5
Others 51 28.7 28 23.5
Total 178 100.0 119 100.0
Source: Field Survey, 2019.
Various social and economic factors make sons more valued than daughters. The reasons are
financial and labour contributions to the family for supporting the parents, and also in pursuance
of family name. On the other hand, daughters are seen as a burden to family. Daughters have no
economic value; rather they contribute to family economic loss. This characteristic cut across
rural and urban areas of the state. Although, the study indicated that many households want to
have at least one daughter. In this regards, couples adjust their fertility and family planning
behaviour on the basis of sex preferences. Since family planning policies do not discourage son
preference and does not reduce gender discrimination. Therefore, strong preference for sons
could be responsible for the weak adoption of family planning in rural and urban areas of
Zamfara State. This consequently brought about high fertility and high population growth. This
agrees with Bhat and Zavier, 2003; Khan and Khanum (2000) that gender preference has
significant implications for desired family size, fertility decisions, and contraceptive adoption.
4.9 Determinants of Family Size and Preferences on Adoption of Family Planning among
Rural and Urban Women.

Responses for not adopting family planning

40
35
30 34
Frequency

25 26
20 24 23 23
15 18
16 16
10
5
0
1 2 3 4

Respondents reasons

Figure 1: Responses on reasons for not adopting any form of family planning in rural and urban
areas (Source: Field Study, 2019)

From the figure above, series 1 represent rural responses, while series 2 represent urban
responses. Bars No.1 represents responses on reason for not adopting family planning was due
to religion and cultural tradition. Bar No.2 represent reason as fear of the consequences of
family planning methods. Bars No.3 represents reasons that until sex preference is met before
adopting family planning. While Bars No. 4 represents reason as not bear any child. Some
women do not adopt family planning due to their perception that family planning is against their
culture and religion. poor, uneducated people, particularly those in rural areas, have virtually
uncontrolled fertility. Competition among co-wives on number of children and gender can also
hinder adoption of family planning. Even sisters from the same family or friends of the same
marriage age can reduced the use of family planning methods among women in the study area. It
is evident that respondents with the highest level of education have fewer children compared to
those without any formal education. This proves that, education is a major factor affecting the
use of family planning services.
4.10 Future Prospects on Adoption of Family Planning
Responses on whether respondents face challenge(s) on adoption of family planning is
represented in the pie- chart below:
 92

174

YES NO

Figure 2: Responses on whether respondents face challenge(s) on adoption of family planning

(Source: Field Study, 2019).

Majority of respondents indicated that they face challenge (s) regarding adoption of family
planning in the study area. However, with increasing educational attainment, particularly tertiary
education, these categories of people are well enlightened on family planning services as a tool
for reducing fertility. The desire for four wives and many children have decline in both rural and
urban areas. However, due to low enrolment of girl child in tertiary education particularly in
rural areas, adoption of family planning among households is very low. Religion affects the
adoption of family planning services as many Muslims faithful regard it as a sin. Side effects of
some modern family planning methods poised serious challenges in the adoption of the services.
Social media video cliffs have displayed and shared many disturbing videos on how implants
caused surgery due to its disappearance in one woman arm. While other women that used
injectable for three months have turn to become infertile. Traditional methods have been failing
many women who patronised them.

Some women who do not attain their desired family size and gender preferences do not want to
adopt any method of family planning. Mothers of some couples play an important role in
decision on adoption of family planning in the study area. Most often, family size intentions are
altered by the parents. Wives with desire for low family size are encouraged to raise their family
intentions due to competition among co-wives. The Hausa tradition, who formed the majority of
population in the study area, couples found it difficult to discuss family planning. A woman
interviewed in rural area has this to say:
“In the Hausa society, it is difficult to see couples sitting together and talking

about how to plan their family. Most of the married women discuss number

of children and gender only with their female friends or their mothers”

Therefore, if these trends are not checked, adoption of family planning will continue to face
serious challenges.

5.0 CONCLUSION

Spatial differences in perception on family size and gender preferences were also examined in
the study. The study found women in Zamfara State bend so much on religion and culture of the
majority of population in Zamfara State. Dominant Islamic religion among majority of Hausa/
Fulani adults and women tribes shows their desire for many children, particularly male children.
Other tribes have indicated contrary opinion on their perception about their family size and
children preferences. Igbo and other minority Christian tribes in Zamfara State have shown
desire for small family size and small number of children. Although, no women of any tribe, no
women of any religion have indicated desire for single gender preferences. All tribes and
religion have desire for both genders. This also cut across urban and rural settings of Zamfara
State. Also, family size, whether small, medium or large is perceived to be destined by God
among most interviewed male adults and women. Although, some women perceived husbands as
one to dictate family size, as he marries as much as four wives on Islamic religious prescription.
Male gender preference is highly perceived by women in Zamfara State. The result of the study
indicated that male child is perceived as superior to the females. Therefore, women preferred to
have male children in their early pregnancies in marriage, while wishing to have female children
in their subsequent pregnancies.

The result on the adoption of family planning in the study area is low, particularly in rural areas.
Unmet need for family planning is common among rural and urban dwellers. Both traditional
and modern methods of family planning are practiced among married and unmarried women in
both rural and urban areas of the state. Desired family size and gender preferences have
significantly influenced adoption of family planning in the study area. The study also concludes
that gender preferences affect family size significantly. Also, it is evident from the research that
both modern and traditional family planning methods are practiced among married and
unmarried women in the study area.

6.0 RECOMMENDATIONS

Religious and traditional institutions in the state need to educate on conditions required in
discouraging high fertility in Zamfara State in particular and Nigeria at large.

Rural areas were found to have more family size and more number of children. Government
policy of free and compulsory Nine-year basic education should be vigorously pursued and
intensified in rural areas. This will delay marriages among teenage population, which will
consequently reduce family size and decline in desire for more children in the process of
achieving NPP target. At the same time, educated population is more prosperous than non-
educated population.

Educated women on the study area were indicated to show low desire for children. In this
regards, it is recommended that Girl Child project (GEP- 3 Project) jointly sponsored by
UNICEF and Zamfara State government should be fully implemented and sustained across all
LGAs in the state to enable female gender participate fully in education. This will have
consequential effects in reducing family size and high desire for children in order to meet NPP’s
aspiration of reducing population growth rate of the state and Nigeria at large. Although,
Nigeria’s decadal decrease in woman TFR of 0.2 child was observed in only five years, from 5.5
births per woman in 2013 to 5.3 births per woman in 2018 (NPC and ICF International, 2019).

Family sizes may affect governmental developmental efforts such as the free health care program
for women and children embark upon by the present state government. This may be difficult to
maintain and sustain in the absence of donations, if high fertility is not curtailed. In this regards,
there is also the need for pre-marriage counselling centres to be established in other to sensitise
new couples on government policies and programmes on population.

Educational achievement has reinforced women’s self-confidence and stimulated them to venture
into various income generating activities. These activities, in turn through the incomes
generation, have to a large extent influenced women’s participation in household decision
making processes which affect their fertility behaviours. There is the need for Information,
Education and Communication Program not only to encourage people to have fewer children, but
also explicitly teach them to equally value female and male children. The families and/or single
women should be sensitized regarding the need to have a manageable family size that they can
adequately cater for. It is only when this is done; NPP aspiration of decline in population growth
rate of Nigeria can be achieved.
Many rural women do not have access to family planning services. Therefore, there is the need
for adequate enlightment campaign and provision for family planning services across rural areas
in the state by family planning agencies at local, state, national and international levels. NGOs
and CBOs should complement the efforts of the mentioned agencies.
7.0 REFERENCES
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Amos H., Alfred J., and Gyang L.D.(2014). Assessment of family poverty level in Mangu local
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